Three Tulane Law Alumni Honored by Louisiana State Bar Association

Three members of the Tulane Law School community were recognized for their extraordinary contributions to the legal profession at the Louisiana State Bar Association's 2026 Annual Meeting, receiving some of the organization's highest honors for excellence in advocacy, service, leadership, and commitment to the profession.

The Louisiana State Bar Association annually recognizes attorneys and judges whose work has advanced the legal profession, strengthened the justice system, and improved the communities they serve. This year's honorees continue that tradition while bringing distinction to Tulane Law School and its alumni community. Tulane alumni honored were Judy Y. Barrasso, (L'81), the Hon. Janis van Meerveld (L'87) and Patrick Talley, Jr., (L'93). 

“Each of these LSBA honorees has distinguished themselves through professional excellence while also strengthening the legal profession through mentorship, advocacy, and public service,” said Law Dean Marcilynn Burke. “We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and grateful for the example they set for our students and the entire profession."

Barrasso, a nationally respected trial lawyer, Tulane Law Hall of Fame member, and longtime supporter of the law school, received the Louisiana Bar Foundation Curtis R. Boisfontaine Trial Advocacy Award. The award recognizes attorneys whose careers exemplify excellence in trial advocacy and whose work has elevated the practice of law in Louisiana.

Barrasso, with the Class of 1981, is a founding member of Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C., and has spent decades building a reputation as one of Louisiana's premier litigators. Throughout her distinguished career, she has represented clients in complex commercial litigation, professional liability matters, and high-stakes disputes while earning widespread recognition from peers and legal organizations alike. She is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a fellow and Past President of the International Society of Barristers, organizations that select their members.

Her influence extends far beyond the courtroom. A past president of the New Orleans Bar Association, Barrasso has devoted significant time to advancing professionalism within the legal community, mentoring early-career attorneys, and supporting legal education. Her longstanding connection to Tulane Law includes service as an adjunct professor and supporting the school's mission as a member of the Dean's Advisory Board. In 2018, she was inducted into the Tulane Law School Hall of Fame in recognition of her professional accomplishments and service to the legal community. 

Another distinguished member of the Tulane Law community recognized by the LSBA was van Meerveld, the U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge of the Eastern District of Louisiana, who received the Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson Trailblazer Award.

Named in honor of retired Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson, the first African American chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, the award recognizes attorneys and judges who champion diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity within the legal profession. Recipients are selected for demonstrating a unique combination of experience, leadership, and accomplishment that advances the values of inclusion and helps create pathways for future generations of legal professionals.

A two-time Tulane graduate, van Meerveld earned her bachelor's degree from Tulane University in 1984 before receiving her Juris Doctor from Tulane Law School in 1987. After building a successful legal career in private practice, she was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana in 2015. Throughout her career, van Meerveld has been recognized not only for her legal expertise and thoughtful service on the federal bench but also for her dedication to mentorship, professional development, and expanding opportunities within the legal profession.

At Tulane, she has long supported law school programming, serving as a judge for Moot Court competitions, including numerous final-round arguments. She has also participated as a judge during the final day of the annual Intersession boot camps, mentoring students and providing feedback on their advocacy skills, courtroom presence, and legal arguments.

The LSBA also recognized Talley Jr. with the Distinguished Service to the Profession Award, which honors attorneys whose careers have demonstrated exceptional service, leadership, and dedication to advancing the legal profession.

A member of Tulane Law School's Class of 1993, Talley has built a career marked by professional excellence and significant contributions to Louisiana's legal community. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his leadership within the profession and his commitment to strengthening the institutions that support lawyers, clients, and the administration of justice. A past LSBA president, he focused his efforts on creating pathways to enhance access to justice and to address the impact of AI on the profession.

The Distinguished Service to the Profession Award recognizes individuals whose impact extends beyond their own practices to benefit the broader legal community. Talley's selection reflects years of dedicated service and leadership that have helped shape and strengthen the profession in Louisiana.