Cissy and Russell J. Stutes, Sr. (center) at their 55th wedding anniversary celebration with their children (from left to right) Lisa Stutes, Christi Stutes Clark, Russell “Rusty” Stutes, Jr., and Leslie Stutes Milligan.
LSU Law alumnus Russell “Rusty” Stutes, Jr. (’91) has made a major gift to the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center to create the Russell J. Stutes Small Business and Community Development Clinic. Stutes and his mother, Cissy Stutes, made a gift in excess of $500,000 in memory of his late father Russell J. Stutes, Sr., a self-made contractor who built the Russell J. Stutes Construction company in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
“The goals and outcomes of this clinic fit my father’s personality and life-ethics perfectly,” said Rusty, a tax and commercial litigation attorney and managing partner at Stutes & Lavergne, LLC. “He had a deep affection and respect for people who were self-starters willing to work beyond exhaustion to make their family’s lives better. What I love about this clinic is how it will help people navigate through often formidable and intimidating business laws and regulations so they can realize the American Dream, too.”
The transactional legal clinic will be located at the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, providing students with experiential learning opportunities. Under the supervision of a full-time clinician, LSU Law students in the clinic work with local clients on proposals to promote community-wide economic growth.
Rusty said his family’s gift to the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center aligns with one of his late father’s core principles: to leave one’s family and community “better than you found it.”
“He came from humble beginnings,” added Cissy of her late husband, whom she was married to for nearly 60 years before his passing on Dec. 22, 2015. “I think when he got to the point where he could help other people, he realized that was his calling.”
“The LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center is fortunate to have alumni who are willing to invest in the mission of the law school,” said LSU Law Dean Alena Allen, adding a search is currently underway for a Professor of Professional Practice to direct the new clinic. “Such investments are critical to the success of the Law Center. I am grateful for the support of the Stutes Family. Their generosity supports innovation in our local community and will provide our students with the opportunity to sharpen and hone their legal skills so that they can become leaders in tax and business law.”
The Russell J. Stutes Small Business and Community Development Clinic joins six other law clinics currently operating as part of the LSU Law Experiential Learning Program. Through the clinics, second- and third-year students represent real clients under the supervision of a licensed practitioner. LSU Law students have a proven track record of successfully representing their clients, which has led to the cooperation of several partner agencies and local courts.
