Judge Michael Bagneris Joins Board of Tulane

Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Michael G. Bagneris has joined the Board of Tulane, the main governing body of Tulane University. A native of New Orleans, Bagneris graduated from Tulane"s School of Law in 1975 and soon afterward became an associate in the law firm of Fine and Waltzer. In 1979 he became a partner and the firm was renamed Fine, Waltzer and Bagneris. A year later Bagneris became executive counsel to New Orleans Mayor Dutch Morial. In 1986, he returned to his law practice at Waltzer and Bagneris where he worked until being elected judge of Civil District Court Division H, where he has presided since 1993.

“I feel honored and privileged to be an integral part of an institution which has made and continues to make enormous contributions to our community,” Bagneris said of his selection to the board.

“Judge Bagneris brings a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to our board as well as a long affiliation with and deep affection for Tulane University,” Philip Greer, Tulane Board chairman said. “We look forward to his leadership, counsel and expertise.”

Tulane President Scott Cowen said Bagneris" ties to New Orleans will be especially helpful in the governance of Tulane. “The future of Tulane and the future of New Orleans are linked as never before,” Cowen said. “Judge Bagneris enhances our board"s local and national representation as we continue to elevate Tulane"s standing among the nation"s best universities.”

Bagneris is a member of several professional organizations including the American Bar Association, the American Judges Association, the Judicial Council Division of the National Bar Association, the Louis A. Martinet Society, the Louisiana District Judges Association, the Louisiana Judicial Council-NBA, the Louisiana State Bar Association, the NAACP, the National Bar Association, the New Orleans Bar Association and the Pro Bono Project. He also serves as an examiner for the Louisiana State Bar.

Bagneris" family has a long history with Tulane. His wife, Madlyn, earned her master of social work from Tulane in 1982, and his daughter Elizabeth earned her BA in African Diaspora Studies and Spanish from Tulane in 2002. His brother, Dennis, earned his juris doctor from the law school in 1981.

Bagneris attended St. Augustine High School where he graduated fourth in his class. He went on to Yale University where he received two BA degrees in American history and African-American history.

Bagneris is also very involved in the arts community. He currently serves on the board of directors at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) Institute, formerly served as president of the Jazz and Heritage Foundation, and is a past board member of both the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and Friends of WWOZ. He has also been a member of the New Orleans Museum of Art and donor to the Amistad Research Center at Tulane.