About Louis Martinet
Our Story
The Greater Lafayette Chapter of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society honors Louis André Martinet, a pioneering African-American lawyer. Martinet was the first African-American graduate of Straight University Law School (now Dillard University) in 1876. In 1890, he co-founded the Comité des Citoyens to challenge Louisiana's Separate Car Law, which mandated segregated train cars. Through his newspaper, the Daily Crusader, Martinet mobilized African-American lawyers to combat this law. He orchestrated Homer Plessy's arrest, leading to the landmark 1896 Supreme Court case, Plessy vs. Ferguson, which established "separate but equal" as constitutional. Martinet's strategic efforts were instrumental in this pivotal legal challenge.
Our Mission
The mission of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society is to promote justice and equality in the legal profession and the broader community. We challenge racial injustices, foster legal scholarship, and advance jurisprudence. Our society promotes the administration of justice, upholds ethical standards, and enhances the welfare of African-American lawyers in Louisiana. We are dedicated to creating a more equitable legal landscape where diversity is celebrated.
Our Team
Our members include small and solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, judges, and law students. The Greater Lafayette Chapter of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society provides a platform for legal professionals to exchange ideas, develop skills, and collaborate on initiatives that promote justice and equality. Whether starting your legal career or an established professional, we welcome you to join us in making a lasting impact on the legal profession and society.