Twenty graduates in the LSU Law Class of 2022 have been selected for induction into The Order of the Coif, the highest honor a law student can receive.
Membership into the honorary law fraternity is strictly limited to the top 10% of each graduating class of law students. Of the more than 200 American Bar Association accredited law schools in the country, LSU Law is one of just 86 with a chapter in The Order of the Coif.
“We are extremely proud of each and every one of the 200 graduates in the LSU Law Class of 2022 because all of them worked incredibly hard and made great sacrifices to earn a law degree, which is the most difficult postgraduate degree that one can attain,” said LSU Law Interim Dean Lee Ann Wheelis Lockridge. “Our graduates who have earned membership into The Order of the Coif in addition to their law degrees are most deserving of special recognition. This high honor reflects their unparalleled commitment to academic excellence, and we take immense pride in honoring their great achievement.”
The LSU Law chapter of The Order of the Coif was established in 1942, with a purpose of stimulating scholarly work of the highest order and fostering a high standard of professional conduct. Outside of ordinary membership for law school graduates, honorary membership into The Order of the Coif may be granted in special cases to lawyers, judges, and teachers who have attained high distinction for their scholarly or professional accomplishments.
Brennan O’Keefe | New Orleans, Louisiana
What are your immediate career plans?
I have accepted a general litigation position in the New Orleans office of Fishman Haygood. I have an interest in environmental law, but I am excited to gain valuable experience in a wide range of practice areas.
What are your long-term career aspirations?
My long-term career aspirations are to make partner at a firm and develop a passive income pathway by investing in real estate.
Please tell us about the organizations and activities you participated in at LSU Law, including any awards or honors you received.
At LSU, I was a member of the Louisiana Law Review. Additionally, my Tullis Moot Court Partner, Cullen McDonald, and I were Tullis Moot Court Finalists and Best Brief Runner-Ups. Finally, I received the CALI Award for three classes: Federal Complex Litigation, Biotechnology Law, and Advanced Legal Research.
Please tell us about any LSU Law faculty, classes, or other experiences that were particularly impactful on your legal education.
Professor Thomas is one of the most challenging professors at LSU Law. But, because Professor Thomas requires so much, she prepares you to succeed in the legal field. Additionally, Professor Malinowski may be one of the smartest people I have ever interacted with. He truly cares and allows students to delve deep into the material he teaches to allow thought provoking responses in his exams.
What are your fondest memories from your time at LSU Law?
The football tailgates are by far my fondest memory of LSU law, because it allowed a getaway from the stress of school. Also, the Barrister Bowl football game was a very eventful experience.
What advice would you give to students entering law school who aspire to become an Order of the Coif member when they graduate?
Hone your time management skills. Throughout law school, people say how many “all-nighters” they pulled studying for classes. I never studied past 6 p.m. a single day in three years. That being said, develop a study schedule, get a planner, and stick to it.
