Changes

Pugh practiced law in Shreveport from 1949–2006, when he retired because of declining health. During the [[Korean War]], he was interrupted again by the call of military service. A navigator and intelligence and security officer, Pugh was honorably discharged from the USAF as a first lieutenant.[1]  

Pugh practiced law in Shreveport from 1949–2006, when he retired because of declining health. During the [[Korean War]], he was interrupted again by the call of military service. A navigator and intelligence and security officer, Pugh was honorably discharged from the USAF as a first lieutenant.[1]  

==Bar association leadership==

==Bar association leadership==

Pugh was long active at all levels of the bar association. He was inducted as the state bar president in 1975 at the Palace of Justice in [[Paris]], [[France]], during the 150th anniversary celebration of the Louisiana Civil Code, which unlike in other states is modeled on [[Napoleon|Napoleonic law]].[10] Pugh was membership chairman of the American Bar Association from 1977–1984, during which time the membership tripled.[7] He was the first Louisiana attorney to have served as president of the National Conference of Bar Presidents, which includes the presidents of the bar associations of each state and all of the larger local groups.[11] Pugh was the first chairman of the Louisiana Supreme Court Historical Society and the second president of the New-Orleans based Bar Association for the Fifth Federal Circuit, a voluntary bar association that serves attorneys admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He was a life member of both the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and the American Law Institute.[9]  

Pugh was long active at all levels of the bar association. He was inducted as the state bar president in 1975 at the Palace of Justice in [[Paris]], [[France]], during the 150th anniversary celebration of the Louisiana Civil Code, which unlike in other states is modeled on [[Napoleon|Napoleonic law]].[10] Pugh was membership chairman of the American Bar Association from 1977–1984, during which time the membership tripled.[7]  

 

Pugh was the first Louisiana attorney to have served as president of the National Conference of Bar Presidents, which includes the presidents of the bar associations of each state and all of the larger local groups.[11] Pugh was the first chairman of the Louisiana Supreme Court Historical Society and the second president of the New-Orleans based Bar Association for the Fifth Federal Circuit, a voluntary bar association that serves attorneys admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He was a life member of both the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and the American Law Institute.[9]  

From 1992 to 1994, Pugh was president of the legal organization known as the American Inns of Court. The group presented him with its "Professionalism Award" because Pugh's "life and practice display[ed] the highest character and integrity, coupled with an on-going dedication to the highest standards of the legal profession and the rule of the law."[12]  

From 1992 to 1994, Pugh was president of the legal organization known as the American Inns of Court. The group presented him with its "Professionalism Award" because Pugh's "life and practice display[ed] the highest character and integrity, coupled with an on-going dedication to the highest standards of the legal profession and the rule of the law."[12]  

==Active in state government==

==Active in state government==

In addition to advising governors, Pugh chaired the Governor's Commission on a Uniform Defense System, the Governor's Committee for the Study of Capital Punishment, and the Louisiana Indigent Defender Board.[7] ''The Shreveport Times,'' recalled that Pugh helped to formulate, without compensation to himself, the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Environmental Levy, an effort to impose taxes on oil and natural gas that passes through the state's coastal zone.[13] Treen said that Pugh was "one of five attorneys who worked on it, and they concluded that it was constitutional and would pass muster before the United States Supreme Court. He did a great job. . . . He was very professional. I admired his uprightness, integrity, and ability."[14]  

In addition to advising governors, Pugh chaired the Governor's Commission on a Uniform Defense System, the Governor's Committee for the Study of Capital Punishment, and the Louisiana Indigent Defender Board.[7] ''The Shreveport Times,'' recalled that Pugh helped to formulate, without compensation to himself, the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Environmental Levy, an effort to impose taxes on oil and natural gas that passes through the state's coastal zone.[13] Treen said that Pugh was "one of five attorneys who worked on it, and they concluded that it was constitutional and would pass muster before the United States Supreme Court. He did a great job. . . . He was very professional. I admired his uprightness, integrity, and ability."[14]  

From 1974–1990, Pugh was a member of the Louisiana Board of Regents,[15] which governs state universities outside the LSU system. He chaired the panel from 1981–1983 and helped to craft the state's master plan for higher education. He was appointed to the board by Edwards, reappointed by Treen in 1980 and by Edwards once again in 1986.[9]  

From 1974–1990, Pugh was a member of the Louisiana Board of Regents,[15] which governs state universities outside the LSU system. He chaired the panel from 1981–1983 and helped to craft the state's master plan for higher education. He was appointed to the board by Edwards, reappointed by Treen in 1980 and by Edwards once again in 1986.[9]  

Pugh was also responsible for having updated Louisiana's juvenile law code. He authored the book, Juvenile Laws of Louisiana: Their History and Development.[16] Long-term friend James Creswell Gardner, Sr., the [[mayor]] of Shreveport from 1954 to 1958, said that Pugh's work "was tedious, and he did it almost single-handedly. He did it so well and early in his career that I think everyone has forgotten about it."[17]  

Pugh was also responsible for having updated Louisiana's juvenile law code. He authored the book, Juvenile Laws of Louisiana: Their History and Development.[16] Long-term friend [[James C. Gardner]], the [[mayor]] of Shreveport from 1954 to 1958, said that Pugh's work "was tedious, and he did it almost single-handedly. He did it so well and early in his career that I think everyone has forgotten about it."[17]  

A board certified tax attorney, Pugh represented the Louisiana Department of Revenue for more than thirty years.[1] In 1973, Pugh began a long tenure as a special assistant attorney general to Democratic Attorney General William J. Guste, Jr., who had defeated the Republican Tom Stagg for attorney general in the general election held on February 1, 1972.[18]

A board certified tax attorney, Pugh represented the Louisiana Department of Revenue for more than thirty years.[1] In 1973, Pugh began a long tenure as a special assistant attorney general to Democratic Attorney General William J. Guste, Jr., who had defeated the Republican Tom Stagg for attorney general in the general election held on February 1, 1972.[18]

When the state Constitution of 1974, which he had helped to write, was challenged before the high court, Pugh developed a new procedural motion still featured in law books about Supreme Court practice. He was involved in landmark cases in election and redistricting law, trade regulation, securities, trust and antitrust law, drug regulation, corporate law, sports law, and successions. He was widely recognized as an expert in both federal and state constitutional law. When Pugh argued before the Louisiana Supreme Court that the state should have class actions, the Chief Justice asked him to draw up the appropriate rules.[1]  

When the state Constitution of 1974, which he had helped to write, was challenged before the high court, Pugh developed a new procedural motion still featured in law books about Supreme Court practice. He was involved in landmark cases in election and redistricting law, trade regulation, securities, trust and antitrust law, drug regulation, corporate law, sports law, and successions. He was widely recognized as an expert in both federal and state constitutional law. When Pugh argued before the Louisiana Supreme Court that the state should have class actions, the Chief Justice asked him to draw up the appropriate rules.[1]  

==Civic and society leadership==

==Civic and society leadership==

Pugh was also a member of the Citizens Charter Study Committee, whose work in the middle 1970s led ultimately to the mayor/council form of municipal government, which began in Shreveport in 1979. His friend, former Mayor James Gardner served on the first city council under the new charter. Pugh and other Shreveport leaders, such as state Senator [[Don Williamson]], pushed heavily for four-year university status for LSU-Shreveport, which the Louisiana State Legislature approved in 1976. He authored the governing documents for the LSU Health Sciences Foundation in Shreveport and served continuously on its board.[1]  

Pugh was also a member of the Citizens Charter Study Committee, whose work in the middle 1970s led ultimately to the mayor/council form of municipal government, which began in Shreveport in 1979. His friend, former Mayor James Gardner served on the first city council under the new charter. Pugh and other Shreveport leaders, such as state Senator [[Don Williamson]], pushed heavily for four-year university status for LSU-Shreveport, which the Louisiana State Legislature approved in 1976. He authored the governing documents for the LSU Health Sciences Foundation in Shreveport and served continuously on its board.[1]  

Heavily involved in Shreveport society, Pugh was a long-time member of the Kappa Alpha Order, the Shreveport Club, the Shreveport Country Club, the Shreveport Yacht Club, Cotillion Club, and the Royal Order of Jesters. He was a founder and second president of East Ridge Country Club. He was a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.[1]  

Heavily involved in Shreveport society, Pugh was a long-time member of the Kappa Alpha Order, the Shreveport Club, the Shreveport Country Club, the Shreveport Yacht Club, Cotillion Club, and the Royal Order of Jesters. He was a founder and second president of East Ridge Country Club. He was a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.[1]  

==Last rites and legacy==

==Last rites and legacy==

In addition to his parents, Pugh was predeceased by two brothers and a sister. Survivors included his wife of fifty-five years, the former Jo Ann Powell; and children, Robert Pugh, Jr., and wife, the former Maura Querbes[22] Jean Anne Pugh Cottingham, and Lamar Powell Pugh (born 1962), all of Shreveport; and four grandchildren, Caroline Ann Cottingham, Christopher William Cottingham, Robert Gahagan Pugh, III, and McKenzie Querbes Pugh. Pugh and his two sons, both lawyers, were his partners in the firm Pugh, Pugh, & Pugh at 333 Texas Street in Shreveport, and daughter Jean also worked for the firm.[23]  

In addition to his parents, Pugh was predeceased by two brothers and a sister. Survivors included his wife of fifty-five years, the former Jo Ann Powell; and children, Robert Pugh, Jr., and wife, the former Maura Querbes[22] Jean Anne Pugh Cottingham, and Lamar Powell Pugh (born 1962), all of Shreveport; and four grandchildren, Caroline Ann Cottingham, Christopher William Cottingham, Robert Gahagan Pugh, III, and McKenzie Querbes Pugh. Pugh and his two sons, both lawyers, were his partners in the firm Pugh, Pugh, & Pugh at 333 Texas Street in Shreveport, and daughter Jean also worked for the firm.[23]