On May 20, 2025, Pugh Accardo’s newest associate Amber Sheppard was only one of 11 attorneys honored as a 2025 Pro Bono Publico by the Louisiana State Bar Association. This marked the 39th year for the Pro Bono Publico & Children’s Law Awards Ceremony at the Louisiana Supreme Court in New Orleans.
What Is a Pro Bono Publico Award?
All seven Supreme Court Justices presided at the ceremony and honorees were recognized by the Justice of their district. Chief Justice John L. Weimer called the honorees, who went above and beyond the minimum pro bono efforts, “shining stars in the galaxy of the legal profession.”
Supreme Court Justice for the First District William J. Crain and Louisiana State Bar President-Elect Edward J. Walters Jr. bestowed the honor on Amber, and her service dog Tubbs, for her pro bono efforts the last calendar year. Despite having a ratio of 11,250 eligible legal aid recipients to one single pro bono attorney in the state, not every attorney answers the call for pro bono aid.
How was Pugh Accardo Attorney Amber Sheppard Selected For a Pro Bono Award?
In 2024 alone, Pugh Accardo attorney Amber Sheppard performed close to two hundred pro bono hours. Because of her efforts volunteering her time, Louisiana Law Institute staff attorney Josef Ventulan nominated her for recognition. Mr. Ventulan was previously named an American Bar Association Outstanding Rising Lawyer in 2024.
Below are some highlights of her efforts in not only St. Tammany Parish, but across Louisiana:
Amber Sheppard, with her service dog Tubbs, brings humility and humor to her Louisiana and Mississippi clients at Pugh Accardo. As LA Bar Intellectual Property Secretary, ABA IPL YLAG Trademark Case Report Lead, and USPTO Practice and Policies Vice Chair, she’s active in continuing education. Her Be Fierce and Kind® philosophy guides her advocacy in the courtroom and community. A sought-after national speaker, she conducts CLEs on neurodiversity and service dog laws. She implemented landmark therapy dog programs: 22nd JDC Juvenile court and the first in Louisiana Assistant Outpatient Treatment Court. Amber is a three-time Louisiana Bar pro bono leader and her children’s book Court of Paw™ is nationally recognized for teaching youth about therapy dogs.
- Committee member and education subcommittee member of Legal Services for Persons With Disabilities (LA Bar)
- Wills For Heroes board member and volunteer
- Volunteer for Lawyers in Libraries
- Law Talks Series educator on family law, estate planning, and assistance animals
- Volunteer attorney for Southeast Louisiana Legal Services handling divorces and name changes
- First attorney to successfully change a gender marker in St. Tammany Parish
