08/23/2024
Stephen Haedicke Receives Public Service Award from New Orleans FBA Chapter
Posted on August 22, 2024 by Stephen J. Haedicke
Stephen Haedicke was honored and humbled to receive the Public Service Award today from the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and he is very grateful for the kind words from colleagues, friends, and mentors that were contained in the program notes, which are reproduced below.
2024 Public Service Award
The 2024 Public Service Award is proudly given to Stephen Haedicke. Stephen selflessly gives his time and talents to both our legal community and the New Orleans area at large, which made him the perfect recipient for this award.
Stephen is a 2001 graduate of Northwestern University School of Law. In over twenty years of practice, he has achieved positive results for clients in diverse areas of law such as section 1983 police misconduct claims, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations, Federal Tort Claims Act cases, FLSA claims, civil and criminal RICO cases, and capital defense. He has worked for the courts, at large law firms, and in public defense. Now, he maintains a solo practice focused on representing clients in complex matters in federal and state court, particularly in the areas of criminal defense and civil rights.
Prior to starting his own firm, Stephen worked at Jones Walker. A colleague who Stephen considers his mentor, Rick Schroeder, said this about Stephen. “When Stephen told me he was leaving the law firm (and me) for a private practice, I had two selfish thoughts: “I knew it.” And “What do I do now?” Stephen’s easy smile hides the keenest of wits and, rarer yet, the purest of motives. He is more than a pleasure to work and travel with, he’s a pleasure simply to be with. That he devotes his incredible skills to matters involving civil and human rights, is a gift to this community.”
Stephen is a member of local and national bar associations, including the Feder Bar Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. From 2018 to 2020, he served as the Chair of the Federal Bar Association’s Civil Rights Section, and he was awarded the FBA’s Outstanding Leader Award at the national convention in 2019.
Stephen has taught in the Trial Advocacy program at the Tulane University School of Law and presented CLEs on topics such as Practice Standards for Criminal Defense, Criminal Law for Civil Lawyers, and Civil Rights Law for Criminal Lawyers. He has helped to organize the biannual New Orleans Civil Rights Etouffee CLE since its first iteration in 2017. He has also been a mentor in the Louisiana Bar’s transition-into-practice mentorship program for new lawyers.
Claude Kelly shared this about Stephen: “Stephen possesses all the traits of an excellent advocate. He is as smart as a whip and a true legal scholar. He is also a fierce courtroom advocate. He also has a friendly and calm personality. His even-keeled nature allows him entrée to both the prosecutor’s office and the judges chambers. Through his sheer collegiality, he can often resolve matters in the most beneficial manners for his clients. For several years, Stephen has served on our CJA conflict panel. Our office values his willingness to take on the most difficult cases and challenging situations.”
Stephen regularly takes on pro bono representations and challenging cases on behalf of clients with limited means. For example, he is currently pursuing an innocence claim for an incarcerated client based on new DNA results in a murder case from 1994. He has represented six men charged with capital crimes, resolving each case without a death penalty. He also regularly represents the families of people who have died through mistreatment while incarcerated or in custody. Stephen’s character and passion are well known in the legal and judicial community.
Judge Donna Currault shared her thoughts on our award winner. “Stephen Haedicke is not just a great lawyer, but more importantly, a terrific person. He left a lucrative career at one of the top law firms in New Orleans to devote his work to civil rights litigation. He has successfully represented incarcerated plaintiffs in 1983 cases, resulting in positive institutional changes in a variety of areas including medical care. Earlier this year, he prevailed in the Fifth Circuit and then the district court on a petition for writ of coram nobis setting aside his client’s criminal conviction involving a now-imprisoned DEA agent. Stephen serves as a member of the Court’s CJA panel as well as the Civil Pro Bono Panel. We are fortunate to have Stephen practice in our district.” The Federal Bar Association thanks Stephen for the countless hours he gives back to our community.
