By Harold Keller

“Give honor to whom honor is due.”  That phrase is often used when people are being recognized for outstanding service in their profession.

This was never more evident then last Friday night at the Louisiana Bar Foundation’s 22nd Annual Fellows Gala.  I had the privilege of attending as our own Judge Thomas F. Daley of the Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal was recognized as the Louisiana 2007 Distinguished Jurist.

Judge Daley, a native of New Jersey, received his Masters in Law from the University of Virginia School of Law, his Jurist Doctorate from Loyola University School of Law, and his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and English from Rutgers University.

In 2004, he was given the distinguished honor of being the keynote speaker at the Rutgers graduation.

Judge Daley and his wife, Margaret (his high school sweetheart), settled in LaPlace over 20 years ago.  He served as an Assistant District Attorney of the 40th Judicial District for six years and in 1991, was elected to a newly created judgeship (Division C), without opposition.  In 1996, unopposed, he was elected and still serves on the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Appeal.

New Jersey’s lost is Louisiana’s gain.  The people of St. John Parish have been blessed with a true public servant who serves his constituents with integrity and passion.

Tom and his lovely wife celebrated his night with daughters, Monique, an honor graduate of LSU and Bernadette, a senior at Nicholls State University.

It was a night to be remembered for the Daley family and friends.  We were grateful that a man we consider a very dear friend was honored by his peers for his talent and dedication.

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.