Page 63 - 2021AprilBOG

March 19, 2021

Dear Louisiana State Bar Association Catherine Kimball Administration of Justice Award Committee:

I write to recommend my friend and colleague, Judge Tony Marabella, to you as a most qualified
honoree for the Catherine Kimball Administration of Justice Award. I have known Judge Marabella for
over thirty years and he is the exemplar of what a judge should be and what a dedicated public servant
should be. He is an exemplar of great work in advancing the administration of justice in Louisiana. I
cannot imagine a more deserving honoree.

As a law professor at LSU, I first knew the judge as a respected and dedicated private practitioner, doing
a little bit of everything from family law to personal injury to business litigation and criminal law. Of
course the criminal law was a natural because of his years working in the district attorney’s office and as
a public defender. I also got to know him when I served as Executive Director of the Louisiana Judicial
College and he would attend programs, having served at that time as an ad hoc judge on many
occasions.

I was delighted when in 2003 he began the first of three terms as a 19th Judicial District Judge. Even
though I was not living in Louisiana at the time, I was still speaking regularly to Louisiana judges at
various programs and it was always wonderful to see him. As judge on the 19th JDC, Judge Marabella
has a wonderful reputation among the bench and the bar. He was fair, professional, and always likeable.
In addition, to his general duties, Judge Marabella oversaw the adult drug court for fourteen years and
was a part of changing lives for the better through that very special program. Judge Marabella also
served very ably as Chair of the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana.

When I returned to Louisiana to become dean of LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, I was happy to see
that Judge Marabella was still teaching Criminal Litigation Practice, for us as an adjunct faculty member.
He was and is a wonderful teacher. His students always loved the course. Judge Marabella mentored as
well as taught, bringing his years of experience and incredible knowledge and insight to his classes.
Judge Marabella played an important part in shaping the lawyers of tomorrow. LSU, his alma mater, will
always be grateful.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not emphasize that in addition to all his professional accomplishments
and skill, Judge Marabella is a wonderful human being. It is always good to see him. He is friendly,
welcoming, and inclusive. His smile lights up a room and immediately puts people at ease. There is no
one who deserves the Catherine Kimball Administration of Justice Award more than Judge Tony
Marabella.

Sincerely,

Thomas C. Galligan, Jr.
LSU Interim President and Professor of Law

Louisiana State University | 3810 West Lakeshore Drive | Baton Rouge, LA 70808 | 225-578-2111 | lsu.edu