In Memoriam

Michael S. Fawer

Mike Fawer passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on April 8, 2026. He is survived by his four children, his seven grandchildren, his longtime companion, Merry, the rest of his large family, his law firm, and all those he loved and who loved him—including his red lab Breeze. 

Mike Fawer served his family, his friends, and his clients with fierce passion. He certainly tried as many high-profile cases as any other Louisiana attorney ever over his distinguished six-decade legal career. He represented former Louisiana Governors Edwin Edwards and Charles Roemer in their public corruption trials, Mississippi civil rights figure Charles Evers, local businessman Aaron Mintz, and many, many more.

Mike Fawer was renowned for his courtroom bravado, bred from meticulous preparation. His fearsome cross-examinations turned heads, and his humanizing defense narratives warmed hearts.

In 1995, Mike Fawer joined Randy Smith to start a firm committed to providing exceptional legal counsel for both plaintiffs and defendants in uniquely complex cases, with an earned reputation of being ever-unafraid to take cases to trial.

Opponents have always understood the preparation, experience, and resoluteness they will have to face in any trial against Smith & Fawer, LLC. Hence, the mantra of the firm: “We hold nothing back.” Mike certainly did not hold anything back professionally, for family, for friends, or for clients entrusting him with, in many cases, their very lives.

“Watching Mike Fawer in court was a journalist’s dream. Brilliant, brash and witty, he thrilled to his task, maneuvering like a fencer with a foil,” investigative reporter, author, and film director Jason Berry wrote in Mike’s wonderful memoir, “From the Bronx to the Bayou: A Defense Attorney’s Odyssey, from Charles Evers to Edwin Edwards and Beyond.” (https://www.amazon.com/Bronx-Bayou-Defense-Attorneys-Odyssey-ebook/dp/B07XSFYY2M)

Later in life, when not joyously spending time with his children and grandchildren in New Orleans, Mike spent much time learning and reading, taking college classes, and traveling worldwide.

Though Brooklyn-born, Mike found New Orleans long ago, and New Orleans—as only it can do—found him. We at Smith & Fawer will always miss him and always honor him.

Mike’s formal obituary can be found at:

https://obituaries.nola.com/obituary/michael-fawer-1093721628