Liskow joins the New Orleans legal community in mourning the passing of J. Berry St. John, Jr., an extraordinary lawyer, colleague, mentor, and friend whose impact on our firm was profound.
Berry practiced law at Liskow for 34 years, upholding the highest standards of professionalism, judgment, and integrity. He brought deep experience, sound judgment, and a steady sense of purpose to his work. For those who had the privilege of working with him, Berry was a model of what it means to serve the profession with excellence, humility, and care.
Berry was especially respected for his work in environmental law. He founded Liskow’s environmental law section and led it for many years. His work included significant matters under federal and state environmental laws and regulations, including the Federal Clean Water Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and regulations issued under them. He handled and argued cases nationwide involving these statutes and was frequently called upon to serve as environmental counsel in transactional matters.
His leadership extended well beyond Liskow. Berry was active in the American Bar Association and served as Chair of the ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources. He also served as President of the New Orleans Bar Association, reflecting his deep commitment to the legal community in which he practiced and led for decades. At Tulane Law School, he served as Managing Editor of the Tulane Law Review, and he later returned to Tulane as a member of the practitioner faculty, teaching Louisiana environmental law to future lawyers.
Berry’s life of service also included distinguished service as a naval aviator. He attended the University of South Carolina on a Naval ROTC scholarship, received his wings of gold in 1964, served as a pilot with squadron VS-28 aboard the USS Wasp, and later flew in Navy Reserve Squadron VP-94 based at Naval Air Station New Orleans. While on active duty, Berry also served as the Executive Officer of the Navy aerial performance team, the Blue Angels, and he taught formation flying at the Pensacola NAS. Aviation remained a lifelong passion. That experience reflected qualities that those around him saw throughout his life and career: discipline, leadership, precision, and an unwavering commitment to the people who served alongside him.
For those of us who had the privilege of knowing and working with Berry, his legacy is measured not only by his many professional accomplishments but by the example he set and his mentoring of younger lawyers. He was a leader in our firm, in his field, and in the bar, and he was truly a great model for us all.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Berry’s family, friends, former colleagues, and all who knew and admired him. We are grateful for his life, his service, and the lasting legacy he left at Liskow and in the New Orleans legal community.