The GNO Martinet Society has selected Whitney C. Stewart as its February Member of the Month. Whitney is an Attorney with Blue Williams, LLP. Please congratulate Whitney for being selected this month’s Member of the Month!! Please also find below some more information about Whitney!!
1. Tell us about yourself?
I grew up in Laplace, Louisiana and earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Southern University and A&M College in 2013. Before attending law school, I worked as a State Risk Adjuster for the Louisiana Patients’ Compensation Fund. After a few years of being involved with medical malpractice claims, I decided that it was time to fulfill my dream of becoming an attorney. I decided to attend the Southern University Law Center, where I obtained my Juris Doctor and graduated magna cum laude. In 2019, I joined Blue Williams, LLP as an Associate Attorney and through my firm, I also became an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Mandeville. My practice includes commercial litigation, governmental/municipal liability, healthcare law, and environmental and toxic tort litigation, including asbestos litigation, occupational disease, and products liability. Additionally, I am the mother of an amazing 11-year old son, who is my daily motivation, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
2. Why did you choose to become an attorney?
I chose to become an attorney because I always wanted to make a difference in my community. Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. As a sociology major at Southern, I was exposed to great African American attorneys such as Thurgood Marshall, Charlotte Ray, Jane Bolin, and Constance Baker Motley. These attorneys and others broke down barriers and inspired me to one day do the same. “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin
3. What are the benefits of being a member of the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society?
Martinet has been such a blessing to my life. It has provided me the opportunity to network with other diverse attorneys and judges and has given me lifelong mentors to help guide me in my career. The assistance, support, and knowledge that I receive from Martinet’s programs and members has been truly invaluable.
4. What is your favorite Martinet event and why?
My favorite Martinet event is the Pathways and Pipelines to Success Program. I attended this program as a second semester 1L, and I have been involved with Martinet ever since. This program introduced me to prominent black practitioners who later became my mentors. In addition, it helped shape me into the person I am today by helping me improve my interviewing skills and introducing me to various occupations within the legal field. I enjoy being able to give back to other law students through the same program that helped me.
5. Tell us about other organizations you are involved in and other causes you support, and why?
I devote a lot of my community service time participating in Habitat for Humanity builds. I believe that homeownership should be attainable for everyone, and Habitat for Humanity gives families that opportunity. With the support of the community, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability, and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and for their families. Seeing the joy on the homeowner’s face as they help build their own home is what keeps me motivated to continue doing this work.