“A great lawyer, leader, and passionate supporter of LSU Law.”
Gene Fendler at the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Ceremony
As a dedicated LSU Law alumnus, Gene Fendler (’73) constantly sought ways to enhance support for the law school that, for him, started it all. Between his philanthropic efforts and his service on the Dean’s Council and Alumni Board of Trustees, he enhanced the LSU Law experience for students of the past, present, and future.
Following his service with the National Guard, and a brief stint teaching geometry, the Alexandria, Louisiana native enrolled at the Law Center. He knew from his first day of class that he had found his calling. As a student, Fendler was editor-in-chief of Louisiana Law Review and would later graduate first in his class and as a member of the Order of the Coif.
After completing a federal clerkship with Judge Alvin B. Rubin (’42), he joined Liskow where he spent his 45-year career, six of which were spent serving as president and managing partner. Through the partnership of Fendler and Liskow, many gifts supporting LSU Law programs and students were made possible, like the Liskow Scholarship Fund Award and the Liskow Visiting Professorship in Energy Law.
In addition to the instrumental role he had in several monetary contributions to the Law Center, Fendler also donated his personal time to LSU Law. In 2005, he was appointed to the LSU Law Alumni Board of Trustees and served as board president for ten years. He was also a long-standing member of the Dean’s Council and a frequent guest lecturer at the Law Center.
LSU Law recognized Fendler as one of its 2019 Distinguished Alumni of the Year. LSU Law Professor Tom Galligan, who served as dean at the time, said of Fendler, “He is an outstanding attorney, known for his ethics, intelligence, civility, and service-mindedness. His contributions to Law Center are immeasurable, and he is most deserving of this award.”
“To be recognized by the school that I hold dear means all the world to me,” said Fendler at the ceremony held on March 22, 2019. “LSU Law continues to turn out great lawyers today, just like it did when I was there in the Class of ’73. It was a great place when we went and it’s a great place today.”
LSU Law continues to be a great place thanks to devoted supporters and alumni like Fendler. He loved the Law Center and its students. He celebrated their accomplishments and encouraged them through their struggles. He was a truly remarkable family man, lawyer, leader, and friend.
After his tragic passing in October 2020, LSU Law worked with his family and friends to establish The Gene Fendler Memorial Scholarship in his memory. Sydney Curtis was the first LSU Law student to receive the scholarship, which was endowed in 2022.
In a student profile, she attributes her grandfather as being her biggest supporter of her law school journey.
“He never failed to mention how great LSU’s law school was. It was his first choice for me,” said Curtis, who is a member of the Class of 2024. “PawPaw missed the news of my acceptance into LSU Law by three months. Of course, it was a no brainer once I was accepted to choose LSU.”
The Law Center’s core mission is to provide outstanding graduates for the legal profession – the profession that Fendler loved and supported.
In a message supporting students during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Fendler advised, “You could not have chosen a better law school than LSU Law. Even in these uncertain times, the preparation for your legal career is second to none. Pay attention to the professors, study hard, and you will find that it was all worth it. The three years will pass quickly, but the legal skills and friends you make will last a lifetime.”
About the Scholarship:
Recipients of the Scholarship must be full-time students enrolled in the Law Center and pursuing a Juris Doctor. Financial need may be a consideration in selection. Recipients will be selected by the Law Center Dean upon recommendation of the Law Center Scholarship Committee and in accordance with LSU policy. The Scholarship shall be held by one student at a time. The amount the award will be determined by the Dean or the Dean’s designee, based on available spendable funds and the needs of the Law Center
