R. Patrick Vance (’75) giving his acceptance speech for the John R. “Jack” Martzell Professionalism Award from the Federal Bar Association-New Orleans Chapter on August 23, 2023.
Patrick “Pat” Vance (’75) became the first LSU Law alumnus to receive the John R. “Jack” Martzell Professionalism Award from the Federal Bar Association-New Orleans Chapter on Aug. 23, 2023. The award recognizes an attorney who “best exemplifies outstanding professionalism in the practice of law.”
“I want to thank the selection committee of the Federal Bar Association for this singular honor,” Vance said as he accepted the award at the Federal Bar Association of New Orleans Annual Meeting. “I am grateful for my wonderful partners, friends, and colleagues, and I want to thank my wife Sarah for always encouraging me to be better at whatever I was trying to do.”
A senior partner at Jones Walker, LLP in New Orleans, Louisiana, Vance is a nationally recognized expert and leader in commercial litigation, banking, and bankruptcy law. He is one of only two lawyers in the United States who is a member of both the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American College of Bankruptcy. His 48-year legal career has yielded 170 reported decisions in which he was usually lead counsel at trial or in the appellate court.
In addition to his distinguished litigation career, Vance is renowned for his volunteer work in the legal community, especially with the Southeast Louisiana Legal Services. He served as president of SLLS from 2013 to 2015 and on their Board of Directors for six years.
SLLS is the largest nonprofit civil legal aid provider in Louisiana. Their mission is to achieve justice for low-income Louisiana citizens by enforcing and defending their legal rights through civil legal aid, advocacy, and community education. Christopher Ralston, a partner at Phelps Dunbar LLP who served with Vance on the board, applauds the commitment and passion he displayed as a leader.
“Pat came into the role totally determined and left the organization, its staff, and its membership and beneficiaries better off than they were when he arrived,” said Ralston. “He is a fierce advocate and a gentleman.”
Pictured from left to right: Judge Janice van Meerveld, R. Patrick Vance, Judge Sarah Vance, and Edward “Ned” Bergin.
Even attorneys on opposing counsel commend Vance for the courtesy and respect he displays in and out of the courtroom, which he credits to his mentor the late Herschel Abbott, Jr. A philanthropist and longtime attorney with Jones Walker, LLP, Abbott’s words of wisdom to Vance (“Pat, you know you get more flies with honey than vinegar.”) have remained with him throughout his career. Vance also personally knew John R. “Jack” Martzell, whom the award is named after.
“He was a terrific attorney whose name is deservedly remembered annually by this award,” he said during his acceptance speech.
Martzell was dubbed by the media as the “lawyer’s lawyer.” In addition to representing high profile clients like Muhammad Ali and Popeye’s Fried Chicken chain owner Al Copeland, Martzell was known for his eloquence and legal craftsmanship. He practiced at Martzell & Bickford in New Orleans and was heavily involved in both the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He served as director of the Louisiana Commission on Human Relations, Rights and Responsibilities for six years.
