Alumna and Former ABA President Judy Perry Martinez (L'82) Named Louisiana Legend

Judy Perry Martinez (L’82), a Tulane Law graduate, prominent attorney and former president of the American Bar Association, has been named a recipient of the Louisiana Legends Award from Louisiana Public Broadcasting, an honor recognizing individuals whose careers have made a lasting impact on Louisiana, their professions and communities.

Martinez, a partner at Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn LLP in New Orleans, has built a distinguished career in complex commercial litigation while also emerging as one of the most influential leaders in the legal profession around the nation. Her work has earned widespread recognition; she spent a decade at Northrop Grumman Corp. where she rose to vice president and chief compliance officer.

A 1982 graduate of Tulane Law School, Martinez has maintained a deep and active connection to her school. She serves as an emeritus member on the Law School’s Dean’s Advisory Board and teaches a corporate in-house counsel externship course, where she works closely with students preparing to enter the profession.

Martinez is often seen in the John Giffen Weimann Hall – speaking on student-organized panels or addressing attendees at events and receptions. For her tireless work on behalf of her alma mater and the mentorship she extends to students, as well as her work to elevate the profession, she was inducted into the Tulane Law School Hall of Fame in 2023.

Martinez’s commitment to mentorship is widely regarded as one of her most meaningful contributions to Tulane Law. A first-generation lawyer from St. Bernard Parish, she has often reflected on the mentorship that guided her own path to law school and has made it a priority to provide that same support to others. She regularly mentors students, welcoming their questions, offering career guidance and encouraging them to pursue meaningful, ethical careers in the law. 

Her influence extends beyond the classroom. Through her engagement with students and alumni, Martinez has helped shape generations of Tulane lawyers, instilling in them a strong sense of professionalism, integrity and service. Many of her mentees have gone on to distinguished careers defined by the same commitment to public service and ethical practice. 

Martinez served as president of the American Bar Association from 2019 to 2020, becoming the first woman from Louisiana to lead the organization and the first lawyer from the state to hold the role in more than a century. During her tenure, she led the ABA through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for the rule of law, judicial independence and continued access to justice at a time of significant disruption.

Her leadership within the ABA followed decades of service, including work with the ABA House of Delegates, as Chair of the Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, as Chair of the ABA Young Lawyers Division and the ABA Task Force on the Future of Legal Services, as well as her membership in the Commission on Women in the Profession. She also helped establish the New Orleans Pro Bono Project early in her career, reflecting a lifelong commitment to expanding access to legal services. 

Knowing more work was needed internationally, Martinez became vice president and member of the board of The World Justice Project, extending her influence globally to advance the rule of law and preserve access to justice. The Project is an independent, multidisciplinary organization working to create knowledge, build awareness, and stimulate action to advance the rule of law worldwide.

Tulane Law School Dean Marcilynn Burke praised Martinez’s achievements and her lasting impact on Tulane. 

“Judy Perry Martinez has built a career defined by exceptional professionalism, principled leadership, and a profound commitment to community service,” Burke said. “Her impact is enduring, not only in the profession she has helped shape, but in the communities she has strengthened along the way, including at Tulane.”

The Legends Award from Louisiana Public Broadcasting recognizes individuals whose contributions have created a meaningful and enduring legacy and is one of the most prestigious awards in the state, given to those whose contributions have made a lasting impact on the state, community and culture. Martinez’s selection reflects both her exceptional legal career and her profound influence as a mentor, leader and advocate for justice and the rule of law.