Paul Michael Lavelle

Paul Michael Lavelle, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, passed away on September 7, 2025, at the age of 69 while surrounded by his family. He was born on July 19, 1956, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to parents James Gregory Lavelle and Helen Borys Lavelle.

Paul moved to New Orleans in 1979 to attend Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. During law school, he met his future wife, Sue Swan Lavelle, whom he was married to for 45 years. Paul loved the city of New Orleans and chose to make it his home, where he practiced law for over four decades as a trial attorney.

Paul was a leader in his community. He served as president of both the Lafreniere Soccer Association and the Jefferson Bar Association. Fondly remembered by many as “Coach Paul,” he relished the countless Saturdays spent coaching his sons’ soccer and baseball teams. He was a member of Elks Lodge #30, and as an Honorary Kentucky Colonel, he especially enjoyed working the Elks’ annual Kentucky Derby event.

Paul served in leadership roles in numerous other organizations, including as National Chair of the High School Mock Trial Program, helping initiate the program’s Louisiana chapter. Paul also regularly spoke at legal conferences throughout the nation and abroad during his membership on the board of the Defense Research Institute.

Paul was known by his friends and family as one of the kindest people you could ever meet. He enjoyed reading, biking on the levee, studying history, camping with the Boy Scouts, and riding in Thoth. He had a wealth of knowledge on an unfathomable range of subjects.

Paul was a fan of watching sports and hosting weekend barbecues, during which he would sit on his patio for hours in deep conversation with the “Corinthians” on every topic imaginable, both philosophical and trivial. Paul was known to brighten every room he walked into and will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Anne. He is survived by his wife, Sue; sons, Patrick and Ryan; granddaughter, Marla; brothers, Jimmy and Michael; and soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Melissa, as well as family and friends worldwide.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, LA 70006, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to Southeast Louisiana Legal Services to help vulnerable people access justice.