NEW ORLEANS—It is with profound sadness that the law firm of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre, L.L.P., announces the passing of John J. Weigel. Mr. Weigel died on January 29, 2012, after nearly 53 years of dedicated service to the firm. Mr. Weigel had been a partner at Jones Walker since 1964. He was 79.

Mr. Weigel was a native of New Orleans, a veteran, and a prominent civic leader.

He had been a practicing trial attorney since his graduation from law school in 1956, including two years of service as counsel in general and special court martials in the United States Army from 1956–1958. He was involved in litigation his entire career, with the exception of the years 1958–1959, when he was a law clerk for a Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Mr. Weigel joined Jones Walker in 1959 and began doing trial work of a general insurance nature, including automobile, general liability, and workers' compensation matters. His practice expanded to include defense of medical and hospital malpractice claims, product liability matters involving a variety of products, such as pharmaceutical; automotive; and construction equipment manufacturers, representing New Orleans law firms in fee disputes and legal malpractice claims, and other commercial litigation involving contract and trust disputes. Mr. Weigel held memberships in the New Orleans and Louisiana State Bar Associations, the New Orleans and Louisiana Associations of Defense Counsel, the International Association of Defense Counsel, the American College of Trial Lawyers, and the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Mr. Weigel became a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association in June 1956, and over the years was admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Western, and Middle Districts of Louisiana, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mr. Weigel was honored with the 2003 Curtis R. Boisfontaine Trial Advocacy Award for his longstanding devotion to and excellence in trial practice, and for upholding the standards of ethics and consideration for the courts, litigants, and all counsel.

“Jones Walker is deeply saddened by the news of Mr. Weigel’s passing,” said William H. Hines, Jones Walker’s Managing Partner. “His service to this firm during his career included serving as Head of our former Casualty Litigation Section, and his work ethic is beyond compare. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of working with him, and those whom he trained and instilled his ideals at Jones Walker will remember him as a great teacher and mentor,” he continued.

Mr. Weigel was a graduate of Tulane University Law School, where he earned his LL.B. in 1956. He was a member of Phi Delta Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa, and was on the Board of Editors of the Tulane Law Review from 1954–1956.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2012, at St. Mary's Assumption Church in New Orleans on Constance Street between Josephine Street and St. Andrew Street. Visitation will be from 9:30 am to 10:30 am with a Mass to follow.

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