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.
Madison C. Guilbeau | Madisonville, Louisiana
What are your immediate career plans?
My husband and I are excited to welcome our first baby into the world in October, so I will be working as a mom!
What are your long-term career aspirations?
I hope to have opportunity to serve as a prosecutor in the near future.
Please tell us about the organizations and activities you participated in at LSU Law, including any awards or honors you received.
I had the honor of working with the New Orleans Innocence Project and with the Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office.
Please tell us about any LSU Law faculty, classes, or other experiences that were particularly impactful on your legal education.
The class at LSU Law that had the most impact was my field placement at the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s office. I was able to get hands-on experience and serve as a Special Prosecutor. This gave me a front row seat into the life of a prosecutor and solidified my desire to serve as one in the future!
What advice would you give to students entering law school who aspire to become an Order of the Coif member when they graduate?
I would say to focus on the things in front of you, your family, and working hard. In my experience, thinking about prestigious recognition makes one either prideful or anxious, depending on the day. Neither is worth it. Just keep yourself healthy and hard-working, and that’s all that matters. Glory be to God!
