The Membership Committee is pleased to announce Emeka Anyanwu as our November Member of the Month. Last year, Emeka served as the Social Committee Co-Chair and was instrumental in planning a number of the organization’s social (and awesome) events such as the Annual Holiday Party, the Diversity Happy Hour, and The Cookout Picnic.
Tell us about yourself.
I am a first-generation Nigerian from Newark, NJ and a graduate of Howard University School of Law/School of Business. Currently, I work as an Associate in the Corporate practice group of Jones Walker LLP. My primary areas of focus include mergers and acquisitions, investment management, securities, corporate governance and other corporate matters. I am the past Social Committee Co-Chair and the current Young Lawyers Committee Co-Chair for the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society.
Why did you choose to become an attorney?
While working for a bank during college, I was exposed to corporate finance regulatory work and really took a liking to it. In doing so, I then tried to find a career path that will allow me to use my financial background with a hybrid of other potential fields of interest. The search for a hybrid of transferable skills lead me to pursue a JD in addition to an MBA in Finance, which ultimately lead to corporate transnational law.
In your view, what are the benefits of being a member of The Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society?
I believe being a member of the Martinet Legal Society provides a variety of benefits for African Americans within the legal profession and those pursuing a legal career. Speaking from experience, as a new attorney to the city of New Orleans Martinet has enabled me to experience various networking and professional growth opportunities. I have been fortunate enough to see the benefits firsthand from mentor-ships, professional trainings, career opportunities and scholarships provided for the betterment of the Greater New Orleans African American legal community through the work the organization has done.
What is your favorite Martinet event? Why?
I have been fortunate enough to attend and be actively involved in amazing Martinet events throughout my time as a member. However, my favorite event happens to be the End of the Summer Picnic. As a past Social Committee Chair, it was an honor to work with Raymond Wilkes in brainstorming and creating a successful networking opportunity for legal professionals at all stages in their careers to attend. The process of gathering input and ideas from Martinet members, community members and sponsors allowed for a great turnout and a family-friendly environment that I hope will continue in the future.
Tell is about other organizations you are involved in or other causes you support.
In addition to serving as a Co-chair for Martinet, I am heavily involved in a lot of other organizations, such as the Legal Education Advancing Diversity Program, Up2Us Sports, Son of a Saint, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the Junior Achievement program and multiple bar associations to name a few. No matter how busy I am, I truly believe in making time to give back or “paying it forward” in the same way those who assisted me on my journey took the time to do.