Cheney C. Joseph Jr., an attorney and interim co-dean at the LSU Law Center who served the state’s legal profession in multiple capacities over four decades, died this morning at his home. He was 73.
“He was probably as pleasant a person as there ever was to work with,” says former Gov. Mike Foster, under whom Joseph served as executive counsel from 1996-2000. “Not only was he pleasant, but he was exceptionally competent.”
Joseph was a graduate of University High School, Princeton University and the LSU Law Center, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He joined the faculty of the LSU Law Center in 1972, where he would go on to serve as vice chancellor under three chancellors and, most recently, as interim co-dean.
“He was the heart and soul of the Law Center, and he was one of the most influential lawyers and people in the history of the Louisiana legal profession,” reads a tribute to Joseph on the LSU Law Center website. “We all are blessed to have known and loved this great lawyer, professor, and man, whose spirit and influence will live forever through his family, friends, colleagues, students and graduates.”
In addition to his tenure at the LSU Law Center and his role in the Foster administration, Joseph also served as U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, district attorney for East Baton Rouge Parish, and judge pro tempore for both the 16th and 40th Judicial District Courts. But it was his love of teaching the law for which he will be most remembered, say those who knew him.
“He had a loyal, loyal following,” Foster says. “Anyone who ever got a law degree at LSU for years studied under him and always said nice things about him. He was one of the finest men I’ve ever known.”
Joseph was also active in the community, a longtime member and former president of the Baton Rouge Rotary Club and a Eucharistic minister at Trinity Episcopal Church.
“If you needed anything you could always call Cheney,” says Rotary Club President Michael Mauldin. “He will be greatly missed by many, many people.”
Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home on Sunday from 4-7 p.m. There will be a service at Trinity Episcopal Church on Monday at 11 a.m. preceded by visitation at 10 a.m.
—Stephanie Riegel
