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In Memoriam
Adrian Duplantier, Co-Founder Boys Hope Girls Hope of New Orleans

Thursday, August 16, 2007

U.S. District Judge Adrian Duplantier, who as a lawyer, lawmaker and jurist was a force in New Orleans life for more than a half-century, died Wednesday of cancer at Ochsner Medical Center. He was 78.

"He was an extraordinarily dedicated and intelligent public servant," former New Orleans Mayor Moon Landrieu said. "They don't make them like that anymore."

A lifelong New Orleanian who graduated from Jesuit High School and Loyola University's law school, Judge Duplantier was a Civil District Court clerk, the first assistant to District Attorney Leon Hubert, a state senator and a Civil District Court judge. In 1978, President Carter appointed him to the federal district bench.

"The guy was the hub of many wheels," said Berrigan, the court's chief judge. "Even last Friday, he was working with his clerk on some prisoner issues."

Landrieu described Judge Duplantier as brilliant, pointing out that when he finished law school in 1949, he was first in his class and editor of the Loyola Law Review. But he was 20 -- a year too young to take the bar.

"He reminded us of that on many occasions," said his son, state Judge Thomas Duplantier of Lafayette, with a chuckle.

Judge Duplantier never stopped smiling, even when he was battling cancer, Berrigan said. "He considered himself blessed. He had a wonderful life."

He taught at Loyola's law school for 40 years and was named outstanding alumnus in 1985. He also was given an honorary doctorate. The University of Virginia, where he earned a master's degree in law, gave him the Brennan Award for his work on the bench.

Earlier this year, the Federal Judges Association honored his service by giving him the first award of an annual tribute that will be known as the Adrian.

Besides his son Thomas, survivors include his wife, Sally Thomas Duplantier; three sons, Adrian "Casey" Duplantier Jr. of Williamsburg, Va., and David and John Duplantier, both of Mandeville; two daughters, Jeanne Duplantier and Louise Craigin; a brother, Warren Duplantier of Houston; two sisters, Yvonne Pugh of San Antonio and Audrey Cerise; 15 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

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