Lippman remembered as friend to this area

Al Lippman worked tirelessly as an expert attorney and as an ardent supporter of the Tri-City community and state through his involvement with political causes, say people who knew him well.
Lippman, 78, died Monday at a Baton Rouge hospital. He was living in Lafayette, but had lived in Berwick for many years. He practiced law in Morgan City for over 50 years.
Attorney Charles Plattsmier, 61, who practiced law for 18 years in Morgan City, had known Lippman since Plattsmier became a lawyer in 1978.
Plattsmier has been chief disciplinary counsel for the state of Louisiana for the past 21 years.
“When Al Lippman passed away this week, the Louisiana legal profession suffered a great loss,” Plattsmier said.
“Al Lippman was the consummate detail lawyer,” Plattsmier said. “He was meticulous in his representation of clients. He was exacting in his negotiations on their behalf.”
Lippman’s death “really shocked” friend V.J
Bella.
Bella, 89, is a former state representative, state fire marshal and Berwick fire chief.
“I lost a dear friend. And the area lost a very dear friend,” Bella said.
Lippman was extremely supportive of the Tri-City area and state, Bella said. Lippman had also served as attorney for the town of Berwick.
Bella, who now lives in Baton Rouge, met Lippman when Lippman arrived in the area as a young attorney while Bella was working as a barber. Lippman eventually started his own law practice in Morgan City.
Lippman was a member of a committee Bella formed in the early 1960s that was responsible for bringing a high school to Berwick. He also was involved in bringing the first library to Berwick, Bella said.
Lippman worked as campaign manager for Bella during Bella’s run for state representative. Bella took office in 1972 and served for nearly 20 years in the state Legislature. Lippman was supportive of Bella’s legislation to create the aviation museum in Patterson.
“He was always involved in politics in some kind of way because he loved politics … even though he held no political position,” Bella said. Lippman never wanted to run for political office, Bella said.
Among Lippman’s friends was former Gov. Mike Foster, a Franklin native, who said Lippman was “always interested in everything” and “available to help on things.” Foster was governor from 1996 to 2004.
Being involved in politics and government for so many years, Lippman wasn’t “shy about calling you and giving you advice,” Foster said.
“And it was always good advice. He was a remarkable person,” Foster said.
Foster described Lippman as “a real force in the Morgan City area” who “was really into everything that happened down there.
“He just was a good level-headed guy, good lawyer, good friend and kind of friend you’re glad to have,” Foster said.
Though a Republican, Lippman supported candidates across party lines.
Political party “didn’t make any difference” to Lippman, Foster said.
“If he approved, he’d help you,” Foster said.
Foster was a Republican governor but had previously been a Democrat.
He had supported former Gov. Edwin Edwards and former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, both Democrats.
“He always stayed like the silent guy backing everything, not wanting to be recognized,” Bella said.
In 1984, Lippman was instrumental in Bella switching to the Republican Party from the Democratic Party. Lippman helped Bella become state fire marshal several years later.
Lippman told Bella he eventually was going to retire, but every time Bella visited Lippman, he was in his office.
“Al loved work,” Bella said.
In the 54 years Lippman practiced law, he never had a complaint filed against him, Plattsmier said.
“There was probably no lawyer better at what he did when it came to transactional law, banking law, acquisitions, mergers,” Plattsmier said.
Lippman was a mentor to younger lawyers as well as a visionary and leader in the community, Plattsmier said.
Lippman served “on countless committees” and provided guidance and his “tireless efforts for the greater good,” he said.
Lippman was known by people across the country who knew of skill, Plattsmier said.
Plattsmier has traveled around the U.S. for work, and because he was from south Louisiana, people often asked him if he knew Lippman.
Lippman’s funeral will be at noon Friday at Martin & Castille’s La Fleur de Lis Chapel in Lafayette.