LSU Law Center Receives Over $1 Million Gift from Estate of Judge Paul B. Landry

Judge Paul B. Landry

April 25, 2007 — The LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center has received the largest gift in its history from the estate of Judge Paul B. Landry, Jr. Judge Landry was a 1936 graduate of the Law Center. Prior to his death in 1998, the Judge established a charitable remainder trust leaving the Law Center as one of the beneficiaries of the trust proceeds.

His gift totaled $1,136,931, and following the wishes of Judge Landry, this gift has been designated for student scholarships.

The gift provided the resources to allow the Law Center to create a first-ever matching funds scholarship initiative to benefit its students. The program provides a $20,000 match from the Judge Landry Scholarship Fund for every new $30,000 gift toward a new or existing scholarship.

Judge Paul B. Landry was a native of West Baton Rouge Parish and set up his law practice in the old Bank of West Baton Rouge in Port Allen shortly after receiving his law degree in 1936. He practiced law until he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in the Army Provost marshal general’s office in Washington, mainly handling security clearances for Army officers. After four years of service, Landry returned to his law practice in Port Allen.

In 1948, Landry was elected State Representative from West Baton Rouge Parish. He was re-elected without opposition in 1952. On August 1, 1953 he resigned from the legislature to accept appointment to the newly created judgeship in the 18th Judicial District comprising the parishes of Iberville, West Baton Rouge, and Pointe Coupee. Judge Landry also served as Town Attorney for the Town of Port Allen and as assistant legal advisor to the Atchafalaya Basin Levee Board.

Judge Landry was elected to the First Circuit Court of Appeal from the First District. He took the oath of office on July 1, 1960. He served as an appeal’s court judge and later chief judge until his retirement on August 1, 1979.

Landry was active in civic affairs sitting on the boards of many organizations. He was one of the founders and the first Board Chairman of the West Baton Rouge Historical Society. He also served with distinction on the Board of Directors of the Bank of West Baton Rouge from 1956 until his death, holding nearly every office during his years of service, including chairman of the board for two years. He was also a charter member and Past President of the Port Allen Lions Club.