Areas of Practice
Education
- Tulane University Law School, J.D., 1966
- Tulane University, B.A., 1963
Bar Admissions
- Louisiana, 1966
Herschel Abbott’s experience not only spans the telecommunications and FCC arenas, but also extends to electric utilities, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Public Service Commission, pipelines and oil production, and SEC litigation.
Mr. Abbott is a native of Monroe, Louisiana, and received his bachelor of arts degree and his juris doctor degree from Tulane University in 1963 and 1966, respectively. He served on the Board of Editors of the Tulane Law Review from 1964–1966. After graduation, he served as a Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force for four years, including one year in the Republic of Vietnam. Mr. Abbott returned to Louisiana and joined Jones Walker in 1970, becoming a partner in the firm in 1973 and thereafter serving on its management committee. He joined BellSouth as General Counsel-Louisiana in 1991 and in 1995 became Associate General Counsel of BellSouth Telecommunications in Atlanta. In 1996, he was elected President of BellSouth’s Louisiana operations and in 2001 became the Vice President for Governmental Affairs, located in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Abbott has a long history of distinguished service in positions of leadership on corporate, civic, and charitable boards, and was awarded the Times-Picayune Loving Cup in 1999. The cup, awarded annually since 1901, recognizes residents who have worked unselfishly for the community without expectation of public acclaim or material reward. He was previously appointed by the then Governor to the Louisiana Board of Regents and served as Chairman of the Board of Tulane University Hospital and Clinic, Chairman of The University of New Orleans Foundation, Chairman of the Committee of 100 for Economic Development, and on the Board of Directors for the World Trade Center of New Orleans, among many others. He currently serves on the boards of Baptist Community Ministries, The National D-Day Museum, The University of New Orleans Foundation, and Dillard University.
Noteworthy
- The Times-Picayune Loving Cup Recipient (1999)
News
- Jones Walker Attorneys Named to Positions in Order of British Crown
- Seven Jones Walker Attorneys to Speak at "Economic Development Financing" Seminar
Presentations
- "Economic Development Financing", October 15, 2008
Memberships
- Baptist Community Ministries (Board Member)
- Committee of 100 for Economic Development (Chairman)
- Dillard University (Board Member)
- Louisiana State Bar Association
- The National World War II Museum (Board Member)
- New Orleans Recovery Authority Board (Chair)
- Tulane University Hospital and Clinic (Chairman of the Board)
- The University of New Orleans Foundation (Chairman)
- World Trade Center of New Orleans (Member, Board of Directors)
