Adams and Reese New Orleans Partner and Pro Bono Paladin Mark Surprenant has been elected to President of the Louisiana State Bar Association Lawyers Assistance Program. This is a state-wide program that helps all lawyers and judges deal with alcohol, drug, suicide, depression and other issues of significant concern.
Surprenant is the former President of the New Orleans Bar Association. Since the beginning of his career, he has been dedicated to community service. In 1988, he created HUGS — the firm’s corporate philanthropy program — and in 2000 he established CA&RE — the firm’s official pro bono program. Mark is also the Co-Founder of SOLACE, Inc. (Support of Lawyers/Legal Personnel All Concern Encouraged). SOLACE is a statewide volunteer organization with more than 6,000 volunteers. It reaches out to assist those in the legal community who have experienced some significant, potentially life-changing event in their lives.
Surprenant served as Chair of the Board of Directors for The Pro Bono Project in New Orleans in 2008, and he serves on the Board of St. Andrew’s Village, which reaches out to assist adults with developmental disabilities, and on the Board of the Catholic Foundation.
At Adams and Reese, Surprenant serves as Team Leader of the Agricultural Chemicals team, representing clients on a number of environmental toxic torts and products liability cases.