She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree with honors from Duke University in 1976, and graduated magna cum laude and Order of the Coif from Tulane University School of Law in 1981, where she was the presiding judge of the Moot Court Board. She has also served as a member of Tulane’s adjunct Trial Advocacy Faculty. Her commitment to improve the quality of life in New Orleans is manifested by her service on various boards and community organizations, including the South Central Region Advisory Board of the Anti-Defamation League, Touro Synagogue, WRBH, in addition to Touro Infirmary.