The Membership Committee is proud to announce Darleene Peters as our May Member of the Month. Darleene is a frequent contributor to the newsletter’s Weekly Wellness Corner and recent Martinet webinar presenter, and we are proud to have her as one of our members and leaders! Congrats Darleene!
1. Tell us about yourself.
I am a NOLA native, Wife, and Mom to 3 kids ages 16, 20, and 21 – my biggest blessings! I have a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Xavier University of LA. I took a working break after graduating from Xavier but I always knew I wanted to pursue an advanced degree. After much researching and soul-searching, I decided to enroll in the dual degree program at Loyola, where I would earn both my JD and MBA simultaneously. I am a 1998 graduate of the Loyola College of Law and College of Business Administration. I have been a Louisiana-licensed attorney for 22 years. I serve as Counsel at Irwin, Fritchie, Urquhart & Moore where I practice civil defense work, primarily in the areas of Mass Tort and Products Liability matters defending major pharmaceutical corporations.
2. Why did you choose to become an Attorney?
I have always had a deep enjoyment for continuous learning, reading, analyzing, thinking, and writing. Based on my previously discussed research and soul-searching, combined with lengthy discussions with my husband Gary, I decided to pursue a legal career. Gary played a huge role in this decision as I sought his insight to help me identify which of my strengths could be aligned with a challenging, exciting, and rewarding professional career. Realizing that Business and Law intertwine, we decided that becoming an Attorney was a great way to apply my passions and strengths to a fulfilling career!
3. What are the benefits of being a member of the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society?
The Martinet Legal Society was founded by several trailblazers in the legal profession and I was blessed to actually have met a few of them. Dr. Norman C. Francis, one of Martinet’s founders, was the long-time president of Xavier University during my years of attendance. He certainly made a lasting impression on me then, and continues to do so today, even though he no longer serves as president. The Martinet Legal Society was formed to provide professional support to African-American Attorneys during the tumultuous Civil Rights Era. Professional support, encouragement, camaraderie, and mentoring are still needed today throughout the African-American legal community. Who better to support Martinet than us? If not us, then who? I have a strong level of commitment and dedication to do my part to assist with sustaining Martinet’s existence. I consider it a professional blessing, honor, and responsibility to be a member.
4. What is your favorite Martinet event and why?
The annual Martinet Scholarship Gala! I enjoy the gala as it serves as the culminating event that allows for the coming together of generations of African-American legal professionals to celebrate the accomplishments of those in our legal community and to plant seeds into the lives of the up and coming members of our profession.
5. Tell us about other organizations you are involved in and other causes you support and why.
I am a community service advocate! I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the R. C. Blakes, Sr. Scholarship Fund, designed to provide scholarship awards to promising high school seniors on their college-bound journeys. This organization is also tied to my church – New Home Ministries – where I’ve been an active and spiritually grounded member for the past 13 years. I am also a member of The National Black Lawyers Top 100 – an invitation-only association of African-American Attorneys throughout the U.S. I have also been a long-time member of the New Orleans Bar Association and have previously worked on a number of service projects over the years. I also worked with the Pro Bono Project last year and chaired a committee for the 2019 Justice for All Ball.
I also feel called to create and spread encouraging news about how to achieve optimal health and wellness, particularly to my fellow Sisters-in-law & Brothers-in-law, who face challenging personal and professional demands as part of their “normal” routines. A fascination and passion for health and wellness led me to improve my own health journey. I am a recent contributor to the Martinet weekly newsletter where I pen “The Weekly Wellness Corner” which allows me to share nuggets of information related to all aspects of health and wellness to the Martinet Family and beyond. I am forever grateful for this opportunity and hope it surpasses my expectations and involvement in the future!