Marian Mayer Berkett joined Deutsch Kerrigan in August 1937 as an associate. She is often credited for being the first woman hired at a Louisiana law firm, but she appreciated co-founder Eberhard Deutsch as “a man of vision” for giving her the opportunity. Over the course of many years, she has had phenomenal success as a trial lawyer, bringing to successful conclusion approximately 97% of a multitude of cases in which she has often defended the unfavored client.
Judge Alvin Rubin, lately of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, said of her:
"Her achievements as a trial lawyer are legendary. Beginning at a time when there were few if any, women trial lawyers in the United States, she tried lawsuits with superb ability, skill, intelligence and strategy, yielding no ground to any opponent. She was a strong advocate without becoming hostile or aggressive yet ever vigilant to protect the interest of her client."
She published "Workmen's Compensation Law in Louisiana" (Louisiana State University Press, 1937). She also is a Tulane Law School 2013 Hall of Fame inductee.
Photo courtesy of Tulane University and Tracie Morris Schaefer