U.S. Attorney Laurenzi celebrated as he retires
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Laurenzi ended a 36-year career inside a crowded courtroom at the Clifford Davis-Odell Horton Federal Building.
It was a room packed with friends, family, colleagues, elected officials and law enforcement, all there to wish him well and celebrate his long years of service.
Well-wishers spilled out into the hallway as one speaker after another praised Laurenzi’s character, honesty, integrity and hard work and presented him with plaques in appreciation for that work.
“I’m very fortunate that I have got to spend the majority of my legal career doing this work. I feel that it has truly made the community a better and a safer place to live. I don’t think there is any greater honor than to help those who can’t help themselves,” Laurenzi said as he greeted the line of folks who came to say goodbye.
“And I’d like to say that throughout my career I’ve had the chance to represent the interest of the people of the United States. What a great honor. I feel like we’ve done a lot of great work. I’m very happy. And if I had it to do over again, I’d do everything the same,” he said.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Anderson took the lead in the event, warning Laurenzi that when you really want to find out about someone, talk to their family, including his children who were never really sure of what he did for a living and now wonder how he’ll spend his time since he doesn’t play golf.
Laurenzi began his work at the federal court in 1982.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant
officiated the program and began with the long list of federal officials Laurenzi has served.
It added up to six U.S. presidents, 11 attorneys general and nine U.S. attorneys in the Western District of Tennessee, Dunavant said.
“What an extraordinary career of service to our country, to our district and to our citizens,” he said.
Among the speakers were Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, county District Attorney General Amy Weirich and a representative from U.S. Rep. David Kustoff, who also sent a video.
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen also acknowledged Laurenzi by creating and awarding him the first “virtual” Irvin Salky award, in recognition of the attorney and activist who died last year.
Salky was a man who cared about justice and people, Cohen said. And Salky admired Laurenzi.
“Irivn always spoke the greatest of you and how fair you were and how much of a gentleman you were and are. And I think the whole bar would agree with that. You are a class act and you’ve done your job well and you’ve served your country well,” Cohen said “Thank you so much. And learn how to play golf.”
Laurenzi was also congratulated by former U.S. Attorneys Ed Stanton and Hickman Ewing.
to our citizens.”
Laurenzi will not end his legal work and will now join the Baker Donelson law firm.
As the “farewell observance” came to a close, Laurenzi recognized the judges, attorneys, law enforcement officers, clerks and support staff, but gave special notice to Angel Jones, his former legal assistant, who drove five hours from Mandeville, Louisiana, to attend his retirement celebration. It was an event she could not miss. “I love Larry. He was a great person, he was a great mentor. He helped me along my journey,” Jones said.
Laurenzi recalled for his friends and family how when he started in the federal court, there were no cell phones or computers, just an office with a metal desk, a metal file cabinet, a metal chair and an IBM typewriter.
And the court was then, and is now, “a great place to work,” he said.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant