Celebrated attorney Evan Trestman to be laid to rest on Sunday
EVAN F. TRESTMAN, a nationally recognized trial attorney and cherished New Orleanian, passed away peacefully, leaving behind an enduring legacy of justice, generosity, laughter, and love on Wednesday, June 11. He was 73 and only two weeks away from his next birthday.
EVAN F. TRESTMAN
A legal powerhouse, Trestman was best known for his precedent-setting victory in Bernard vs. Royal Insurance Company, where he secured the largest personal injury verdict in Louisiana history. He also played a pivotal role in the historic class action litigation against big tobacco, a contribution recognized by the American Lung Association with its prestigious “Breath of Life” award.
Beyond the courtroom, he was an extraordinary civic leader, appointed by governors and mayors alike to improve institutions from the Audubon Commission to the New Orleans Police Department. He brought brilliance and integrity to every role, whether crafting legal strategy or a blueprint for civic reform.
A proud alumnus of Tulane Law School, he credited the university with helping launch his storied career and gave back generously, creating an endowment to elevate the Moot Court program to national prominence. His gift ensures that generations of aspiring attorneys will be trained not only in the letter of the law but also in the art of persuasion—a craft he so masterfully embodied.
Trestman lived his life as a true performer: bold, authentic, and unforgettable. From courtroom battles to theatrical stages, from Aspen peaks to New Orleans streets, he embraced every moment with flair. A fitness enthusiast and adventurer at heart, he found joy in movement, in art, in justice, and in people.
He was a compassionate man. He called his friends and family every day to check in, simply to show he cared. He loved deeply and fiercely—his friends, his family, his city, and his mission to make a larger impact on others. He had a wicked sense of humor, a booming voice, and a heart that rivaled the scale of his accomplishments. He lived life with extraordinary passion. Whether skiing the slopes of Aspen, performing opera or show tunes on stage, or simply enjoying delicious food, he lived life to the absolute fullest.
Those who knew him will remember his brilliance, his compassion, his humor, and his unwavering commitment to excellence. He inspired greatness, demanded fairness, and above all, gave his heart generously to all who crossed his path.
He leaves behind not just a body of legal work but also a legacy of leadership, love, and laughter.
Trestman lived in the Lakeshore area and attended John F. Kennedy High School, growing up as a member of Congregation Beth Israel. He was also a respected member of the Sigma Alpha Rho Fraternity.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Pam Gengo Trestman; his mother, Roslyn Trestman; his sister Fran Lenter (Robert); his stepchildren, Ashley and Sam Miles, Linn and Joseph Atiyeh; his five grandchildren; and his sister- and brother-in-law, Madelyn and Frank Gengo.
A graveside service will be held at the (Old) Beth Israel Cemetery, 4321 Frenchmen Street, on Sunday, June 15 at 12 noon. Rabbi Yossie Nemes will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a secured-link online donation be made to Duke Health in support of lung disease research. Checks can be mailed to Duke Health Development, ATTN: Jillian Ream, Duke Alumni and Development Records, Box 90581, Durham, NC 27708.
