NEW ORLEANS, July 17, 2026 – The attorneys and team at Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith announce with profound sadness the passing of John Galloway, a founding partner of the firm. John was a trusted colleague, respected attorney, generous mentor, and true friend to all who worked with him. His integrity and commitment to excellence shaped our firm and influenced the careers of many attorneys and staff.
Galloway co-founded the firm in 1987 with three partners and two associates, establishing the foundation for one of the South’s leading defense firms. Today, the firm has 140 attorneys serving clients in seven states and 14 offices, a testament to the leadership and values the founding partners instilled from the beginning.
“John was the law partner, mentor, and friend we all aspire to be,” said Andrea L. Albert, Director at Galloway. “He led with humility, fairness, and kindness, and he inspired confidence in everyone he mentored. His wisdom, generosity, and steady guidance shaped countless careers, including my own. The strength of our firm is rooted in the culture John helped create. I am forever grateful for his mentorship and will deeply miss the friend he became.”
John Galloway primarily practiced in personal injury, property damage, and professional liability defense litigation. He was admitted to both the Louisiana and Texas State Bars and received his undergraduate and law degrees from Louisiana State University.
John’s professional memberships included the New Orleans and Louisiana State Bar Associations, the State Bar of Texas, the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, the Defense Research Institute, and the Maritime Law Association of the United States. He served as a faculty member for the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy and the LSU Law School Trial Advocacy Program. In 2013, John was awarded the Arceneaux Professionalism Award by the New Orleans Bar Association.
For nearly four decades, John’s leadership and guidance defined our culture. He believed in the responsibility of practicing law and was steadfast in pursuing fair and just outcomes for every client.
He was equally dedicated to our team. Regardless of his workload, John always made time to listen and offer guidance. His door and his wisdom were always available. His patience and generosity made him an exceptional mentor whose influence will endure for generations.
The firm is deeply grateful to John for his vision, friendship, and the enduring legacy he leaves. His impact is woven into the firm and will guide its members for years to come. John is now reunited with his beloved wife, Blanche, who passed away less than four months ago. The firm extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew him.