The Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) held its 39
th annual Pro Bono Publico & Children’s Law Awards Ceremony was held on May 20, 2025, at the Louisiana Supreme Court in New Orleans. Louisiana’s seven Supreme Court Justices presided over the ceremony in an official court session to demonstrate their fervent support for pro bono and the efforts of the volunteers being honored.
Welcoming remarks were offered by LSBA President Elect Edward J. Walters, Jr., Louisiana Bar Foundation Vice President Michael J. Mestayer, and Chief Justice John L. Weimer who commended the award recipients for going above and beyond their professional duties to ensure access to legal services for low-income Louisianans, calling them “shining starts in the galaxy of the legal profession.”
Pro bono service is essential to ensuring that all people can access justice in Louisiana, where the number of people eligible for free legal services outnumbers legal aid attorneys by an enormous 11,250 to one. This means that while legal aid providers serve thousands of people each year, they cannot serve everyone who cannot afford an attorney. These awards recognize members of the legal profession who are leading the charge in closing the gap between needed legal services and available legal help through their pro bono service.
The LSBA is pleased to honor the following individuals and organization with the listed awards:
Children’s Law Awards
Pelican Center for Children & Families – Zachary
Hon. Jennifer Guillot Womble – Harvey
Law Student Award
Laura A. Derbonne – Tulane University Law School
Marcus C. Moses – Loyola University College of Law
Raegan Nguyen – LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center
Destiny Singleton – Southern University Law Center
Friend of Pro Bono
Ascension Parish Assessor’s Office – Donaldsonville
Chris Ortte – Lafayette
Wendy M. Riley – New Orleans
Pro Bono Publico
Regina Bartholomew-Woods – New Orleans
Butler Snow LLP – Baton Rouge
Steven J. Farber – New Orleans
Leonid Grinberg – Baton Rouge
Jessica L. Karr – Covington
Heidi Kemple Martin – Shreveport
Taneisha Wylette Riggs – Lafayette
Randal J. Robert – Baton Rouge
LaKendra D. Sampson – Prairieville
Amber Sheppard – Slidell
Rebecca L. Vishnefski – Shreveport
LA.FreeLegalAnswers Award
Daniel Wayne Nodurft – Chalmette
Lawyers in Libraries Award
Gregory L. Landry – Lafayette
Career Public Interest Award
Talya Bergeron – Baton Rouge
David A. Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award
Justice John Michael Guidry – New Orleans
Photos of the ceremony are available
here.