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Young Lawyers Division - Award Recipients


YLD Outstanding Young Lawyer Award

The award for Outstanding Young Lawyer is given to a young lawyer who has made exceptional contributions to the legal profession and the community. In determining the recipient of this award, the Council choses from the applications for the Top 40 Award and Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. The YLD considers the nominee’s professional accomplishments; the nominee’s exceptional contributions to the community, bar associations, and the legal profession; the nominee’s leadership; and the nominee’s display of character, professionalism, and ethics.
YearNameCity
2022Chloé M. ChettaNew Orleans
2021Yasha L. ClarkNew Orleans
2020Sherron P. WilliamsShreveport
2019Micah C. ZenoNew Orleans
2018Loren D. ShanklinBaton Rouge
2017Betty Ann MauryGretna
2016Alysson L. MillsNew Orleans
2015Cliff A. LaCourLafayette
2014Victor J. Suane, Jr.Baton Rouge
2013Jamie Hurst WattsBaton Rouge
2012Amanda S. StoutBaton Rouge
2011Jonathan L. JohnsonLake Charles
2010Karli Glascock WilsonBaton Rouge
2009Blake R. DavidLafayette
2008Tara G. RichardNew Orleans
2007Kelsey Kornick FunesBaton Rouge
2006Christopher K. RalstonNew Orleans
2005Joseph W. MengisBaton Rouge
2004Melissa M. CressonBaton Rouge
2003Kristen B. MenardLafayette
2002Shannon S. DartezLafayette
2001C. Kevin HayesBaton Rouge
2000Brian BarberShreveport
1999Dona RenegarLafayette
1998Robert L. BroussardLafayette
1997Gayle Harrell JacksonBaton Rouge
1996Kay Karre' GautreauxLafayette
1995Lilynn A. CutrerLake Charles
1994George Arceneaux IIILafayette
1993Steven C. LanzaLafayette
1992Paul WestBaton Rouge
1991Salvador G. LongoriaNew Orleans
1990Judy Perry MartinezNew Orleans
1989Susan MorganShreveport
1988A.I. (Stacy) WilliamsLafayette
1987Lila Tritico HoganHammond
1986John L. (Jay) DardenneBaton Rouge
1985Michael H. RubinBaton Rouge
1984Ben R. HancheyMonroe
1983Lawrence P. SimonLafayette
1982Richard E. Gerard, Jr.Lake Charles
1981Edward J. Rice, Jr.New Orleans
1980Jacob D. Landry, Jr.New Iberia
1979Herman F. Sockrider, Jr.Shreveport
1978John C. Combe, Jr.New Orleans
1977F.A. Little, Jr.Alexandria
1976Sam A. LeBlanc IIINew Orleans
1975David L. CampbellLake Charles
1975Charles R. SonnierAbbeville
1974John B. ScofieldLake Charles
1973Daniel T. MurchisonNatchitoches
1972John Dale PowersBaton Rouge
1971Henry A. PolitzShreveport
1970Wood Brown IIINew Orleans
1969James A. ReederShreveport
1968Henry B. Alsobrook, Jr.New Orleans
1967Jesse D. McDonaldMonroe
1966John G. WeinmannNew Orleans

Hon. Michaelle Pitard Wynne Professionalism Award

This award is given to a young lawyer for commitment and dedication to upholding the quality and integrity of the legal profession and consideration towards peers and the general public. The YLD considers the nominee’s commitment to promoting respect for the legal system and profession by exhibiting the highest standards of competence, integrity, civility, and ethics as well as a dedication to enhancing professionalism among lawyers.
YearNameCity
2023Jimmie C. Herring, Jr.Monroe
2022Jami IsheeLafayette
2021Kenneth P. HebertLafayette
2020Roya S. Boustanylafayette
2019Ashley J. HeilprinNew Orleans
2018Jeremy A. BazileLafayette
2017Stuart R. BreauxLafayette
2016Monica M. Vela-VickBaton Rouge
2015Hon. Karelia R. StewartShreveport
2014Laranda Moffett WalkerPearland, TX
2013Mackenzie S.LedetBaton Rouge
2012Ryan M. McCabeNew Orleans
2011Lindsay L. MeadorLafayette
2010Jackie M. McCrearyNew Orleans
2009Mimi Flowers PlaucheBaton Rouge
2008Alona R. CroteauMetairie
2007Kelly E. BalfourBaton Rouge
2006Gordon D. PolozolaBaton Rouge
2005Darrel J. PapillionBaton Rouge
2004Todd E. GaudinBaton Rouge
2003Donald R. Cravins, Jr. Lafayette
2002Traci A. Moore BennettRichmond, TX
2001James D. HollierLafayette
2000Daniel J. ShapiroHouston, TX

YLD Pro Bono Award

This award is given to a young lawyer for commitment and dedication to providing pro bono services in the community or the state beyond the nominee’s primary job requirements. The YLD considers the nominee’s total number of pro bono hours per year; the impact of the nominee’s pro bono work; and the nominee’s ongoing contributions that have resulted in the increased access to legal services for Louisiana citizens.
YearNameCity
2023Phillip M. SmithLafayette
2022Hayley LandryNew Orleans
2022Remington AngelleBaton Rouge
2021Jonathan T. JarrettLafayette
2020Candace B. FordBaton Rouge
2019Brett D. SandiferBaton Rouge
2018Jesse C. StewartNew Orleans
2017Jonathan T. Jarrett (Presented at Pro Bono Awards 5-22-18)Lafayette
2016Janeane GorcycaBaton Rouge
2015Dwazendra J. SmithOpelousas
2014Rolando R. UrbinaBaton Rouge
2013Seth T. MansfieldLafayette
2012Ryan R. BrownBaton Rouge
2011Jeffrey K. CoreilLafayette
2010Charles William Montz, Jr.Lafayette
2009Lindsay Meador DeBloisLafayette
2008Olita Magee DomingueLafayette
2007Christopher K. JonesBaton Rouge
2006Juleanna Danielle MunroBaton Rouge
2005Robert "Bobby" L. OdinetLafayette
2004Gregory A. KouryLafayette
2003David B. GoochLafayette
2002Edythe L. KoonceBaton Rouge
2001Kimberly A. ManuelLafayette
2000Rebekah R. HugginsLafayette

Outstanding Local Affiliate

This award is given to a local affiliate organization that has impacted the lives of young lawyers. The YLD considers the organization’s service to the public; the organization’s service to the legal profession; the success of the organization’s initiatives that serve the public and the profession; any challenges that the organization overcame; the organization’s creative use of resources; the organization’s efforts to involve young lawyers in programming and services.
YearNameCity
2023New Orleans Bar Association's Young Lawyers SectionNew Orleans
2022Shreveport Bar Assn. YLSShreveport
2021Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Inc.New Orleans
2020Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Inc. New Orleans
2019Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet SocietyNew Orleans
2018Baton Rouge Bar Association Young Lawyers SectionBaton Rouge

Program of the Year

This award is given to an organization (bar association, firm, or other entity) that has implemented an outstanding program or service that serves the public or the profession, enhances the lives of young lawyers, or was primarily planned by young lawyers. The YLD considers how the organization involves young lawyers; the organization’s impact on the public and/or profession; and the organization’s innovation, inclusiveness, and success.
YearNameCity
2023New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association's Justice CampNew Orleans
2022New Orleans Bar Association Young Lawyers Section - Approach the BenchNew Orleans
2021Southwest Louisiana Bar Association YLS Holiday Helping HandsLake Charles
2020Baton Rouge Bar Association – Belly Up with the BarBaton Rouge
2019Greater New Orleans Louis A Martinet Society & Dillard University – Pre-Law Mock Trial Summer CampNew Orleans
2018Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Inc. – Pathways and Pipelines to SuccessNew Orleans

Top 40 Recipient

This award is given to the state's top young lawyers who have made exceptional contributions to the legal profession and their community. In determining award recipients, the YLD considers the nominee’s professional accomplishments; the nominee’s exceptional contributions to the community, bar associations, and the legal profession; the nominee’s leadership; and the nominee’s display of character, professionalism, and ethics.

Bat P. Sullivan,Jr. Chair’s Award

The LSBA Young Lawyer Division Chair grants this award in recognition of individuals whose contributions have positively impacted the legal profession and demonstrated dedication to enhancing the YLD.
YearNameCity
2022Elizabeth P (Liza Beth) GrozingerShreveport
2021Josef P. VentulanBaton Rouge
2020Megan E. RéauxLafayette
2020Collin R. MelanconNew Orleans
2020Rachal Cox CassagneNew Orleans
2018Graham H. RyanNew Orleans
2018Danielle L. BorelBaton Rouge
2017Kristi Wagley RichardBaton Rouge
2016Lauren L. GardnerLafayette
2016Adam P. JohnsonLake Charles
2015Graham H. RyanNew Orleans
2014Bradley J. TateMetairie
2013Lynsay M. FontenotLake Charles
2013Sara B. RodrigueLafayette
2012Sarah E. StognerNew Orleans
2011Claude P. “T-Claude” Devall, Jr.Lake Charles
2010Justin M ChopinMetairie
2009Allison BecknellMetairie
2008Franchesca L. Hamilton-AckerLafayette
2007Michelle F. PlauchéBaton Rouge
2007Angelique Duhon FreelBaton Rouge
2006W. Michael StreetMonroe
2006Beth E. AbramsonNew Orleans
2005J. Christopher PetersJena
2004Karleen J. GreenBaton Rouge
2003Mark E. MoriceGretna
2002Melanie M. MulcahyLake Charles
2001Justin H. HomesMetairie
2000Hutton W. SentellGarland
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