Law Professor Honored With LSBA Lifetime Achievement Award

Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Professor Ramona Fernandez, JD '96, has been named the recipient of the 2026 David A. Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award by the Louisiana State Bar Association.

The Hamilton Award is the LSBA's most prestigious pro bono award and recognizes an attorney who has made lifelong significant contributions to Louisiana's pro bono movement, participates in state justice community collaborations, and exhibits outstanding leadership and service to the poor and disenfranchised.

Professor Fernandez currently serves as the deputy director of the Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic. She joined the law clinic as part of its support staff in 1981 and continued her work with the clinic as she obtained her JD at the College of Law. Since joining the clinic team, she has served as a staff attorney; as assistant, associate, and full clinic professor; and as associate, interim, and now deputy director. She has taught in the areas of family law, succession, immigration, criminal law, and juvenile law.

"[Professor Fernandez] is widely respected as an engaging teacher and collaborative colleague," said Associate Dean of Law Clinic and Experiential Learning Davida Finger. "She teaches law students to practice law with their minds and hearts. In doing so, she has trained many hundreds of compassionate attorneys who work to build justice in many different capacities."

Outside of her work at Loyola, Professor Fernandez is a board member for the Capital Post-Conviction Project of Louisiana and the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Louisiana. She also serves as the chairman of the board for Alliance for Good Government.

"From the moment one meets her, it is unmistakable that she is wholly devoted to the service of law and to shaping the next generation of lawyers," said 3L James Wakeland, a student in Professor Fernandez's clinic class. "She carries herself with unwavering poise and patience in the face of adversity and advocates with tireless resolve for those who need it most."