African American lawyers -- Louisiana

Scope and Contents The records of the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society are comprised mainly of documents generated during the presidencies of Ernestine Gray and Cheryl A. Gray, and date from 1973-2005. The records for the terms of these two presidents are not complete, but consist of correspondence, articles of incorporation and by-laws, financial records, membership lists, committee and society agendas and minutes, newsletters, photographs, brochures, invitations, and programs. Of note are...

Content Description

The papers of African American lawyer and notary public Rene Calvin Metoyer include three documents related to his career. The first is his Bachelor of Law degree from Straight University dated April 6, 1886. Also included is a certificate from the Louisiana Supreme Court, also dated April 6, 1886,  admitting Metoyer to the practice of law in Louisiana, as well as a Louisiana notary public appointment certificate dated June 27, 1917.

Scope and Contents This collection contains twenty-four linear feet of correspondence, attorney and judicial files, organizational records, Ortique’s writings, collected research, and ephemeral materials.The papers of Revius Ortique Jr. primarily chronicle his professional life as a prominent African-American attorney and judge in New Orleans, Louisiana and as the first African-American judge elected to the Louisiana Supreme Court. Included in his papers are case files from his early...