Page 64 - 2021 April BOG Manual_Neat

March 12, 2021

Louisiana State Bar Association,

In the strongest of terms, I highly recommend Judge Anthony ‘Tony’ Marabella for the Catherine D.
Kimball Award for the Administration of Justice. I have known Judge Marabella both professionally and
personally for nearly my entire career as an attorney. It has been my good fortune and honor to
practice in front of Judge Marabella for numerous years. I have always found the judge to be kind,
compassionate, and respectful all the while fairly administering justice to both victims and defendants.
His level of professionalism is beyond reproach. As I am a career prosecutor, I have appeared before a
large number of jurists in various jurisdictions. While I have found our State’s judiciary to be of an
excellent caliber, Judge Marabella has always set himself apart from others based upon his knowledge
of the law, his well thought ‘common sense’ approach, and his willingness to be open-minded with all of
those individuals that have appeared before him.

Also, I want to note that the judge’s devotion and commitment to the Nineteenth Judicial District Drug
Court and Louisiana’s Drug Court Program has truly been a passion for him. Although the drug court
model is based upon a ‘team’ concept, Judge Marabella was a magnificent and inspirational team
leader! His unselfish interactions with drug court participants undoubtedly changed the trajectories of
their lives and that of the families of those affected by abuse and addiction. Judge Marabella’s tenure on
the drug court bench saved countless lives and brought families in crisis back together as functioning
units. He represented ‘hope’ for so many persons and families that deemed themselves to be
‘hopeless’. Judge Marabella’s guidance seemed, at times, to be nearly paternal as he took great,
personal interest in each individual person’s plight while enrolled in the drug court program.

On a personal level, I have found Judge Marabella to be strong, loving, supportive, and devoted husband
and father. His obvious commitment to his wife, Miss Diane, and their son, Trey, have been paramount
in his personal being. It is my belief that it is his life experiences associated with his family that have
caused him to remain grounded and focused as a jurist. On many occasions, I’ve seen him draw upon
his familial history and religious faith as guidance when making impactful decisions. Simply stated,
Judge Marabella is a person with a good heart. Also, I want to applaud Miss Diane and Trey for their
support of Judge Marabella throughout his storied, legal career. Miss Diane is as equally remarkable as
the Judge. Tony and Miss Diane’s ability to work cohesively as a team sets them apart as persons and
allows each to perform at the highest levels within their respective professions. I believe in the adage
that ‘You’re only as good as those around you’. I know that these three lift and inspire each other to go
places that few ever truly know.

In closing, I wish to thank Tony for is influences and guidance all of which have made me the lawyer that
I am today. I consider myself blessed to have appeared and practiced before him on a daily basis. He
has left an indelible mark upon me as a person and as a lawyer. Judge Marabella has taught me that
doing what is right can be hard at times but is always the right thing to do. I will forever be in his debt. I
do not believe that there is a finer person or judge sitting (or having sat) on the bench than that of Tony
Marabella. Truly, the man represents the epitome of public service. Our State and, more specifically,