Law Center News
Alumnus practices medicine and law thanks to SULC
Neurosurgeon Anthony Ioppolo says he now practices medicine and law thanks to the Southern University Law Center (SULC), which provided him the opportunity to do so. “It (law studies at SULC) was a perfect fit and I have had no regrets,” said Ioppolo, who matriculated as an Evening Division student.
“I received a good education and passed the bar on the first attempt, although that exam had to be the most stressful that I have ever taken,” he said.
Dr. Ioppolo, Class of 2009, made a $2,500 donation to the Law Center’s scholarship fund, which was formally presented during the Health Law Symposium and Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Wednesday, April 6, the kick-off event of the 2016 SULC Alumni and Friends Round-Up. He gave $2,500 to the law school when he was a student. When Chancellor John Pierre called on him to discuss his stewardship, he realized that he wanted to contribute regularly to a good educational institution, with excellent students and faculty.
SULC stands out to Dr. Ioppolo because it is not only a good law school, but also it is a racially diverse institution. “Besides the good legal education you can obtain from SULC, you can get exposure to individuals that go a long way toward good community relations in Baton Rouge,” he said.
“A school like Southern does a lot to help the perception between black and white residents in the community,” he admits.
“You can’t help but realize the bias that is presented in the news media and what you see of any particular minority community is just one small part of the picture.”
Dr. Ioppolo became interested in law because as a neurosurgeon he had been giving depositions for personal injury and workers’ compensation matters with great regularity since 1978. Now, medical malpractice law has become his second career. Fellow alumni, especially those in his study group, have provided him legal clients and patient referrals, he said.
According to Dr. Ioppolo, “You don’t have to pursue a law degree out of need or if failing at your first career.
“Acquisition of knowledge keeps your brain young and active. I was in my late ‘50s when I began law studies; if I can do it at that age, you can do it also.”
The father of a current SULC student encourages prospective students not to be afraid to take the challenge of enrolling in law studies. “It takes motivation and perseverance, but you will never regret that you did,” he says.
Dr. Ioppolo has perhaps embarked on another career as a lecturer on medical malpractice. Prof. Paul Race, who also has earned medical and law degrees, has invited him to address his health law class. “I saw the new wing of the Law Center, and it is very beautiful to say the least. And I like teaching,” he said.
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