Law alumni create new professorship, scholarship honoring Hall of Fame inductees

Tulane Law School will have an endowed professorship in corporate law and a new scholarship in honor of one of its longest-serving and most beloved professors, Interim Law Dean Sally Richardson announced during the induction ceremonies of the Tulane Law Hall of Fame.

Both endowments are meant to honor members of the 2024 Class of the Tulane Law Hall of Fame. The scholarship, funded by alumnus Thomas Lane (L’91), honors Professor Catherine Hancock, who has taught at Tulane for 48 years, and the professorship in corporate law will honor long-time adjunct professor Louis Fishman (B’ 63, L’65), one of the founders of the Tulane Corporate Law Institute, and is created by the firm he founded more than 30 years ago, Fishman Haygood.

“One of the things that makes Tulane Law so special is its alumni,” Dean Richardson said in closing the Hall of Fame celebration.  “Our alumni are the best in the world and this celebration to honor these exceptional individuals – Louis Fishman, Catherine Hancock, Joe West, David Campbell, and Judge John Duhé – it just shows how talented Tulane lawyers are."

"To have a new professorship and scholarship created in Louis’ and Catherine’s honor on top of that, and created by other Tulane Law alums, it just highlights what a special place this is," law Dean Richardson added.

Calling Hancock an “extraordinary person,” Lane, her former student and a long-time supporter of law school initiatives, said it was fitting to honor a professor who has influenced the careers of legions of students.

Hatched “over a blueberry muffin” with Dean Richardson earlier that day, Lane said he wanted to create a scholarship to honor Hancock for her “scholarship, her intelligence and her charisma. Catherine, this is so well-deserved, congratulations,” he said as a startled Hancock looked on and attendees rose to their feet in support.

Similarly, Fishman Haygood partner and Tulane Law adjunct professor Maureen Gershanik announced that the firm was creating an endowed professorship in corporate law to honor  Fishman’s dedication to his law firm and the community he serves.

“In appreciation and affection that we have for you as an attorney, leader, mentor, and friend, I am honored to announce that Fishman Haygood has partnered with Tulane Law to create the Louis Fishman Professorship in Corporate law,” Gershanik said to loud applause.

Hancock was honored as a 2024 Tulane Law Hall of Fame inductee for her years of service and mentorship to Tulane Law students. She is the Geoffrey C. Bible & Murray H. Bring Professor of Constitutional Law and teaches Constitutional Criminal Procedure and Constitutional Law at Tulane Law.  In 48 years, she has taught tens of thousands of students and become iconic in her passion for criminal law, constitutional law, and law and gender studies. She has influenced scores of students over the years to pursue not just pro bono work, but to dedicate themselves to careers in the public’s interest, being recognized three times by law classes for her teaching.

Fishman a partner at the New Orleans firm of Fishman Haygood, LLP, is a co-founder of the Tulane Corporate Law Institute, the largest corporate law gathering in the nation, which helped put Tulane Law on the map in the field.

A founding partner of Fishman Haygood, Fishman’s practice is transactional, and he is counsel to the firm and a member of their Business Section. His practice includes corporation law, securities, and mergers and acquisitions. He also counsels clients on resolving disputes within family and other closely held businesses.

Fishman is a member of the Advisory Board of Editors for the Tulane Law Review since 1991 and has been an Adjunct Professor at the law school where he currently teaches with Gershanik a mini-course on corporate governance.

Others honored during the Hall of Fame event included  David Campbell (L’60), a lawyer, environmentalist, preservationist, and author; ret. Judge John Malcolm Duhé Jr. (L ’57) of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals; and equity, diversity and inclusion leader Joseph West (L’86) and partner at Duane Morris whose work over decades has brought new voices into the profession and who continues to elevate voices of color in the legal field.

More on the Hall of Fame honorees can be found here.