President's Award
The President selects the recipient based upon their dedication and commitment to the Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF), volunteer service above and beyond, leadership role in major LBF accomplishments, willingness to volunteer for new projects and assists the President in addressing concerns facing the LBF.
Michelle Sorrells
Michelle Sorrells of Walters, Papillion, Thomas, Cullens LLC in Baton Rouge, was presented the President’s Award by Mathile Abramson, LBF President prior to the LBF Gala, April 20. This award is given in recognition of outstanding support, volunteer service, dedication and the advancement of the mission and goals of the LBF. In addition to serving on the Fellows Gala committee for two years, she helped organize two special fundraisers through the Baton Rouge Bar’s Workers’ Comp section that raised money for the LBF Kids’ Chance Scholarship Program.
Leo C. Hamilton
Leo C. Hamilton, a partner of Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson LLP in Baton Rouge, is the recipient of the Louisiana Bar Foundation's (LBF) prestigious President's Award. Hamilton was selected by Herschel Richard in recognition of his outstanding support, volunteer service and dedication to the mission and goals of the LBF. This past year he served on the LBF Board of Directors as Secretary and as the board liaison and chair of the Editorial committee.
Hamilton practices in the areas of labor and employment law, administrative law, constitutional law, and governmental relations. He received his BA from LSU and his JD from LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center.
Mathile W. Abramson
Mathile W. Abramson, a partner of Kean Miller Hawthorne D'Armond McCowan & Jarman LLP in Baton Rouge, is the recipient of the Louisiana Bar Foundation's (LBF) prestigious President's Award. Abramson was selected by Drew Ranier in recognition of her outstanding support, volunteer service and dedication to the mission and goals of the LBF. This past year she served on the LBF Board of Directors as Treasurer and as the board liaison and chair of the Budget/Investment Committee and the Grants Committee.
Abramson practices in the areas of litigation and alternative dispute resolution. She has served as Judge Pro Tempore of Division "D", 23rd Judicial District Court. She works with clients in a wide variety of litigation and mediation matters. Her general practice includes gaming, asbestos, toxic tort, municipal, personal injury, contract, commercial and construction litigation. Recently, she has assisted clients in cases involving complex contract disputes, municipal litigation, wrongful death, RICO, employment law and zoning. She attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, earned her B.A. from Sophie Newcomb College at Tulane University and her J.D. from LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center.
Elwood F. Cahill, Jr.
Elwood F. Cahill, Jr., a founding partner of the law firm Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert in New Orleans is the recipient of the Louisiana Bar Foundation President's Award. 2008-09 LBF President Marc T. Amy presented the award to Cahill at the LBF Annual Fellows Meeting in Sandestin, Florida in June. Cahill was selected in recognition of his outstanding support, volunteer service and dedication to the mission and goals of the LBF.
Cahill, a Fellow since 1987, has served as chair the IOLTA Banking Committee, the Budget/Investment Committee, the Grants Committee and as president in 2007-08. He also had the privilege of serving as the attorney representing the Foundation on a pro bono basis in the original acquisition, financing and renovation of the Louisiana Bar Center in 1987-89. He is actively involved with many professional, civic, charitable and trade organizations, including sitting on the Governing Council of the American Bar Association Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section and on the Executive Committee (as 3rd Vice-President) of the New Orleans Bar Association, as well as a Member of the Louisiana State Bar Association House of Delegates. Cahill is also a member of the Board of Children's Hospital in New Orleans.
Marta-Ann Schnabel
Marta-Ann Schnabel is the recipient of the Louisiana Bar Foundation's (LBF) prestigious President's Award. Schnabel was selected by Elwood F. Cahill, Jr., 2007-08 LBF President in recognition of her outstanding support, volunteer service and dedication to the mission and goals of the LBF. For the past three years she has actively served on the LBF Board and was instrumental in helping the Foundation work toward achieving rate comparability serving on various committees and as the liaison between the LBF and LSBA Boards.
Schnabel is a member of the firm of O'Bryon & Schnabel, PLC. In her years of practice, she has primarily represented clients in business, commercial and insurance litigation involving a wide variety of issues, including construction, products liability, professional malpractice and employment matters. She has been active in bar and community service for a number of years. She was the first woman to serve as President of the Louisiana State Bar Association when she was sworn into office in June of 2006. She is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, with a B.A. Honours in History and she received her Juris Doctorate from Loyola University School of Law.
