Today I will the great honor of serving as the inaugural speaker at the W. Eugene Davis Lecture in Lafayette, Louisiana. This event holds a particular personal meaning for me because I clerked for Judge Davis on the Fifth Circuit in the late 1980s. Serving as his clerk was the single most transformative decision that I have made in my professional life. The clerkship started a lifelong friendship that I cherish to this day. Judge Davis is adored by everyone who has worked with him for his unflagging decency, civility, and integrity. When I think back to my time in his chambers, I realize how much the experience — and Judge Davis — shaped my views of legal ethics, professionalism, and civility. This lecture is a fitting tribute to a man who served justice for decades as a trial judge and later an appellate judge. He is the classic and genuine judicial article. He still relishes the simple task of judging — fairly and honestly. He has spent his lifetime eschewing ideology in favor of resolving cases in an unbiased and consistent manner. He is my ideal of what everyone judge should strive to be. He remains a humble and decent man who seeks to do justice. That is why this lecture series is such a fitting testament to the legacy of W. Eugene Davis.
Last night, I returned to Lafayette to stay overnight with Gene and Celia Davis. It brought back a flood of memories that seem like they were just days — not decades — ago.
The Davis lecture will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 1:00 pm at the U.S. District Court WDLA, 800 Lafayette Street, Lafayette, LA
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I really enjoyed the talk and meeting your after. Let me know how to send you the info on the Mr Dooley comment on the Supreme Court (from many years ago)
Explains a lot about you, Turley.
Welcome to Louisiana! It is going to be a rainy day, for sure. I am sitting here, in the huge recliner my father left, in front of the French door, sipping some English Breakfast Tea, watching it rain, surfing the net, and with the sound of scampering American cats as they chase each other back and forth thru the music room. I wonder what the poor folks are doing today???
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
But crawfish season over… 😫 Like Debbie Barnhart, I didn’t know you had a Louisiana connection. Wonderful town, Lafayette.
Bring your umbrella.
Very nice tribute. I surmise you were born a decent, honest and civil man like Judge Davis, and he nurtured and reinforced those qualities.
What an honor! I didn’t know you clerked in Lafayette in the 80’s! You’re a credit to a great man!