1. Tell us about yourself
My name is Piper Griffin and I am a native New Orleanian, having grown up in uptown New Orleans. I graduated from Xavier Prep High School and received a B.A. degree from the University of Notre Dame where I received the Leonard A. Collins Award in recognition of my contributions to the University. In 1997 I was honored as one of the 50 most distinguished Black graduates of the University. I went on to receive my J. D. from Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law School in 1987 and was admitted to practice in that year. While at LSU I was a National Finalist in the Frederick Douglas Moot Court Competition and president of the Black Law Student Association.
I was elected judge on the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans, Division I, State of Louisiana in 2001 and have previously served as the Court’s Chief Judge.
I have received numerous awards, including the 2018 National Bar Association, Judicial Council Sarah Harper Humanitarian Award, 2018 Louis A. Martinet Legal Society Lifetime Achievement Award as well as its 2003 Ernest N. Morial Judicial Pacesetter Award. In the past I have been recognized as a YWCA Role Model; Listed in Who’s Who in American Law and received the 2003 Alliance for Good Government Civic Award.
I am single and have no birth children though I am a former foster parent and I have served as a surrogate mother and mentor to many. I love God and am an active member of Second Baptist where I am a Sunday School Teacher, President of the Beautifying Club, and church financial secretary.
2. Why did you choose to become an attorney?
When I was a teenager, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut. I actually went to college with plans of majoring in engineering. However, as I proceeded through Notre Dame my plans changed. While at Notre Dame I took a trip to the Appalachian Mountains and worked with people in that community. I learned that many of their issues were the result of policies ad laws that were not advantageous to their community. Up to that point my experiences were limited to those in New Orleans.
At Notre Dame I was one of very few African Americans, I realized that there were many career options that offered me the opportunity to help others. I came to understand that education could be used to give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. I became an attorney with the ideal of being that voice and helping to make a difference in this world.
3. In your view, what are the benefits of being a member of Martinet?
I think Martinet serves as a great resource for the African American legal Community as well as the African American Community at large and it provides programs and events that can focus on interests that are specific to those who tend to be underserved and underrepresented.
4. What is your favorite Martinet event? Why?
It is hard to identify one favorite event; but I can say that I truly enjoy the Annual Martinet Scholarship Gala. It is an opportunity for us to reflect upon the past and to highlight others within the legal community and the work they are doing. I especially like the fact that we support law students through scholarships.
5. Tell us about your organizations you are involved in or other causes you support and why?
I have tried to live a life dedicated to helping others and serving the community and my profession because I believe that “to whom much is given much is required.” This has led me to be active and to serve in leadership roles in various organizations, Professionally, this includes currently serving as President of the Louisiana Judicial Council/National Bar Association, Vice President of the Louisiana Judicial Council Foundation and the Louisiana Association of District Court Judges, immediate past President of the 4th and 5th Circuit Judges Association, a member of the Testing Committee of the Louisiana Committee of Bar Admissions, a member of the Louisiana Supreme Court Budgetary Control Board and the Ethics Committee.
With regards to community-based organizations and institutions, I have volunteered with many. I find that once again, my hope is to help those who are not in the position to help themselves. This means a focus on children and women. I have previously served as President of the Board of Directors for St. Katharine Drexel Prep (formerly Xavier Prep, the high school I attended), President of the Crescent City Chapter (LA) Links, Inc., the Constitutional Law Bar Examiner for the State’s Bar Exam, president of the Board of Directors of the YWCA; a member of the board of Catholic Charities of Greater New Orleans, treasurer and corresponding secretary of the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, first African American female chair of the Young Lawyers Section of the New Orleans Bar Association and many others.