August 2, 2011

RAJPATTIE PERSAUD-BILLETTE
(1946- 2011)

“We are saddened by the passing of Rajpattie Persaud-Billette on Monday.  She chaired our Committee on Lawyer Referral Service since 2008 and had been a committee member since 2000.

“Her zeal for helping New Yorkers find the right attorney to address their legal problems was remarkable, especially because her own legal practice was based in Montreal, Quebec,” said New York State Bar Association President Vincent E. Doyle III.
 
“A warm and outgoing woman, Rajpattie had an affinity for the underdog and a strong commitment to speaking out against injustice,” Doyle said.  “We extend our deepest sympathy to her husband Paul-André Billette, her extended family and many friends.”

A native of Guyana, Ms. Persaud-Billette began her career as a banker. She was in her forties when she was admitted to practice law in Quebec and New York after earning a law degree from McGill University.  She joined the New York State Bar Association in 1995.

In addition to chairing the State Bar’s Committee on Lawyer Referral Service, she was a member Task Force on New York Law in International Matters, which issued a report in June.  She also was active in the Elder Law, Family Law and International sections.

In Montreal, Ms. Persaud-Billette, a solo practitioner, specialized in family law. She was a member of the Montreal Bar Association and the Quebec Bar Association. 

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, August 6 at the chapel of Jardins Urgel Bourgie Montréal, 3955, Chemin Côte-de-Liesse, St-Laurent (Québec) H4N 2N6.  Visiting hours are August 5, from 6-9 pm, and Saturday, August 6, from 8 am – 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Chez Doris, a women’s shelter.

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