Welcome to the Greater New Orleans Chapter of the Louis A. Martinet Society!

 

My name is Bianca N. Moore, and it is my honor to serve as the 2023-2024 President of the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Foundation and Legal Society. First, I would like to thank God, my family and friends, my mentors, frientors, and sponsors, and my predecessor, Valerie Fontenot, not only for her outstanding leadership and counsel, but also for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve as her President-Elect.

Since the pandemic, many bar associations have struggled to re-engage member and continue the work and programming of the previous year. Although Valerie faced similar obstacles, in the words of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson she persevered. Valerie’s tenacity, persistence, and love for this organization is what kept Martinet goingthrough the tough times. It also inspired many young lawyers, such as myself, to step up and step into high positions of leadership to continue the work and further the mission of our founders.

When our organization was created in 1957, our Founders faced overwhelming adversity: Voter Disenfranchisement, Redlining, Employment and Professional Discrimination, overt racism, and several attacks on the Black bar. Although they successfully litigated and combated many of these edifices of oppression, the current attacks on our democracy, the erasure of history, and attempts the stomp any cognizable effort to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools and workplaces attempts to undo the work and progress we have made over the past 70 years—but they will fail.

In a time where many lawyers are questioning the impact and usefulness of bar associations,  Martinet continues to positively impact our members in ways that can hardly be expressed. But, this year we endeavor to make that impact profound and clear and give you more of what makes Martinet so valuable to our members. Therefore, this year is the Year of More: More Support, More Camaraderie, and More Service. Specifically, this year we endeavor to (1) provide greater professional support, resources, and practice development to our members and supporters, to ultimately keep them engaged and competitive in the practice of law; (2) increase and identify the unique benefits of Martinet membership through consistent and relevant programming; and (3) improve our visibility and impact in the local and legal community by forming strategic partnerships with other bar associations, public interest groups, civil legal aid organizations, and local public defender offices.

The Bible tells us to “Fan into Flame the Gift of God, which is in us…” I truly believe God has gifted me with the fiery heart and hands of servant. Therefore, this year–with these hands and with this fiery heart—I desire to pave the way for Martinet to become the number one minority bar association in the nation and a pillar in the New Orleans community. Therefore, I ask each of you to join me on that journey, rededicate yourself to Martinet and its mission, and get ready for a Year of Moore! I look forward to an outstanding and innovative year!

Yours in Service,

Bianca N. Moore 2023-2024 President

 

News

• • The Greater New Orleans Martinet Legal Society & Foundation To Host the Annual Jazz Brunch & Scholarship Gala
  • Letter of Support for The Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
  • Voice Your Vote Campaign
  • Martinet’s Press Release Regarding the Murder of George Floyd
  • Martinet Urges Judges to Delay Evictions
  • Revised Emergency Election Plan

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