Marlene Trestman, author of Fair Labor Lawyer: The Remarkable Life of New Deal Attorney and Supreme Court Advocate Bessie Margolin, will discuss this and her current book project, Most Fortunate Unfortunates: History of NOLA Jewish Orphans’ Home, 1856-1946.

 

Both books draw on Trestman's personal experiences. Orphaned at age 11, Trestman grew up as a client of the Jewish Children's Regional Service, the agency that formerly ran the orphanage in which Margolin was raised. During the time they spent together while Trestman attended college and law school, and started her legal career, Margolin inspired her future biographer.

 

Prior to retiring in 2013, Trestman spent the last decade of her thirty-year legal career with the Maryland Attorney General's office serving as Special Assistant to the Attorney General, and was responsible for enforcing laws related to public health and consumer protection. In recognition of her contributions, Trestman twice received the Attorney General's Exceptional Service Award.

 

Trestman has received research grants and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, American Jewish Archives, and Texas Jewish Historical Society. Honored by the Supreme Court Historical Society (Hughes-Gossett Literary Award), Isidore Newman School (Distinguished Alumnus), and the Jewish Children's Regional Service (2016 Gala Honoree), Trestman lives in Baltimore and welcomes the chance to interview former residents of New Orleans' Jewish Children's Home, or their descendants.