2008-08-01 23:44:09 -

www.innsofcourt.org - Lawrence J. Centola, a lawyer with the law firm of Martzell & Bickford in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been selected to receive the American Inns of Court's 2008 Sandra Day O'Connor Award for Professional Service. The award will be presented at the American Inns of Court's Celebration of Excellence, hosted by Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr., at the United States Supreme Court, on October 11, 2008.

The American Inns of Court established the Sandra Day O'Connor Award for Professional Service honoring an American Inn of Court member in practice ten or fewer years for excellence in public interest or pro bono activities. The purpose of the Award is to honor an Inn member each year for exemplary

service and to honor Justice O'Connor for being the paragon of professional service throughout her distinguished career while exemplifying legal excellence, civility, ethics and professionalism.

Mr. Centola has been actively involved in two important volunteer programs. SOLACE (Support of Lawyers/Legal Personnel - All Concern Encouraged) was founded to encourage members of the legal profession to help other legal professionals and their families in time of need. With more than 3,100 volunteers throughout Louisiana, lawyers have arranged for air transportation for medical needs, provided blood donations, and offered counseling services. Through Mr. Centola's efforts, SOLACE was also instrumental in assisting attorneys who were displaced because of Hurricane Katrina.

He has also been involved with the Homeless Experience Legal Protection (H.E.L.P.) program. He provides free legal consultation and follow-up representation to the homeless at St. Josephs Community Center--all done prior to normal business hours at his law firm. Performing his many humanitarian gestures without any fanfare whatsoever, Mr. Centola has developed a heart-warming reputation as "a lawyer who simply wants to give back to those less fortunate."

Mr. Centola received his Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University in 2001 and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University in 1998. Immediately after graduating from law school, Mr. Centola clerked for the Honorable G. Thomas Porteous, U.S. District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Before joining Martzell & Bickford, he spent five years at a major New Orleans defense firm.

Mr. Centola is on the Executive Board of the Young Lawyers Section for the New Orleans Bar Association; the Executive Board of the Younger Lawyers Division for the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association; and the Executive Board for the John C. Boutall American Inn of Court. He is also involved with the Louisiana and American Bar Associations.

The American Inns of Court Foundation, America's oldest, largest and fastest growing mentoring organization presents national awards for excellence each October at the Celebration of Excellence held in the United States Supreme Court. Information about this event and gala banquet may be found at www.innsofcourt.org.

American Inns of Court
David P. Carey
Executive Director
703-684-3590
dcarey@innsofcourt.org