J. Rock Palermo III

The Veron Bice, LLC family mourns the loss of one of its founding member, J. Rock Palermo. Rock left us way too early on February 2, 2021 at the young age of 55.

Rock delighted in all things involving his family. He could not have been prouder of his children. He enjoyed every minute spent with them, from discussing politics and world travel with Rachel to attending Ryan’s baseball games to listening to Sarah play guitar and speak the Spanish language. No words exist to describe the void that will be left by Rock’s absence. He was simultaneously their biggest cheerleader and real-life superhero. A talented photographer, he documented his family’s numerous trips and adventures. An avid SCUBA diver and instructor, Rock first met Kim while teaching her SCUBA diving class. They introduced their family to the joys of diving.

His most cherished hobby, passed on by his father, was flying. He was happiest in the clouds. He was a devoted flier who logged many hours in all manner of aircraft, from single-engine propeller-driven aircraft to small jets. He was a certified flight instructor and passed on his joy of flying to many. He was an FAA licensed Airline Transport Pilot with airplane, jet and helicopter ratings. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary, and held the rank of Colonel. He served as secretary of the board of the Lake Charles Regional Airport Authority. His love for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Department enabled him to serve his community as Captain of the Aviation Unit.

Rock graduated from LSU Law School in 1992 and from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in 1987. While at LSU Law School he was selected to the Moot Court Board. Rock was a respected attorney and member of the Louisiana Bar. He was a founding partner in the firm of Veron, Bice, LLC in Lake Charles, and he was a founding member of the Judge Albert Tate Inn of Court. Rock was a member of the faculty of the LSU Law Center Trial Advocacy program and was a member of the LSU Law Center Board of Trustees, American Board of Trial Advocates and the Louisiana Association for Justice where he served as a member of the Council of Directors 1999-2000 and was on the Board of Directors 2000-2002. Rock also was section chair of LAJ’s Aviation Connection and was a presenter at many LAJ CLE conferences.

Rock was a wonderful father and husband, terrifically talented lawyer, community leader, and great law partner in the firm of Veron, Bice, LLC, in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He has been praised by judges and other lawyers as the consummate professional, both in demeanor and in talent.

Rock is survived by his wife of 27 years, Kim; three children, Rachel Palermo, Ryan Palermo (and wife Madison), and Sarah Palermo. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph R. Palermo, Jr.

Areas of Practice
  • Admiralty & Maritime
  • Jones Act
  • Personal Injury
  • Aviation Accidents
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Premises Liability
  • Property Damage
  • Railroad Accidents
  • Railroad Accidents
  • Wrongful Death
  • Products Liability
  • Chemical Exposures
  • Motor Vehicle Defects
  • Recreational Products
  • Toxic Torts
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Medical Malpractice
Bar Admissions
  • Louisiana, 1992
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana, 1992
  • U.S. District Court Middle District of Louisiana, 1992
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana, 1992
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 1993
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1993
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, 1998
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1998
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 2003
Education
  • Louisiana State University Law Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    • J.D. – 1992
  • Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    • B.S. – 1987
    • Major: Finance
  • CAP National Legal Officers College, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Honors and Awards
  • Certificate of Merit, U.S. Coast Guard, 2009
  • Distinguished Service Medal, Civil Air Patrol, 2004
  • Senior Member of the Year, Civil Air Patrol, Louisiana Wing, 2000
  • Emergency Responder of the Year, Southwest Louisiana Mutual Aid Association, 2001
  • Public Service Award, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, 2002
  • Super Lawyers, 2007 – Present
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2009 – Present
  • Martindale-Hubble AV Preeminent
Professional Associations and Memberships
  • LSU Foundation, Member
  • LSU Capital Campaign, Regional Chair, 2008 – Present
  • Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Chancellor’s Council, 2003 – Present
  • American Board of Trial Advocates, Member, 2009 – Present
  • Judge Albert Tate American Inn of Court, Member, 1994 – Present
  • Civil Air Patrol, Assistant National Legal Officer, 2003 – 2009
  • Federal Aviation Administration, Aviation Safety Counselor, 2002 – Present
  • Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, Council of Directors
  • Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Governors
  • Louisiana Association for Justice, Member, 1992 – Present
  • Louisiana Bar Foundation, 1999 – Present
  • Southwest Louisiana Bar Association, Executive Council
  • Professional Association of Diving Instructors, Master Instructor, 1989 – Present
  • American Association for Justice, Member, 1992 – Present
  • Airborne Law Enforcement Association, Member, 2006 – Present
  • National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, 1999 – 2001
Litigation Percentage
  • 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Classes / Seminars
  • Trial Advocacy Program, LSU Law Center Faculty, August 2019
  • Civil Procedure Rules and Caselaw, Louisiana Association for Justice, New Orleans, December 13, 2018
  • Professionalism in Depositions, Louisiana State Bar Association, Lafayette, September 5, 2018
  • Trial Tactics, Louisiana State Bar Association, New Orleans, September 7, 2018
  • Professionalism in Depositions, Louisiana State Bar Association, Lafayette, September 5, 2018
  • Trial Advocacy Program, LSU Law Center Faculty, August 2018
  • 23rd Annual Tulane Environmental Law and Policy Summit, Tulane Law School, March 9, 2018
  • Professionalism in Depositions, Louisiana State Bar Association, New Orleans, December 8, 2017
  • Voodoo CLE Seminar: Ghoulish Trial Skills – Cross Examination, Louisiana State Bar Association, New Orleans October 30, 2017
  • Trial Advocacy Program, LSU Law Center Faculty, August 2017
  • Anatomy of a Trial – Joint LSBA/LJC Summer School Louisiana State Bar Association June 4, 2017
  • 22nd Annual Environmental Law and Policy Summit Tulane Law School, New Orleans, March 10, 2017
  • Voodoo CLE Seminar: Ghoulish Trial Skills – Closing Argument, Louisiana State Bar Association, New Orleans, October 28, 2016
  • Trial Advocacy Program Law 5608 LSU Law Center Faculty, Baton Rouge, August 2016
  • Voodoo CLE Seminar: Bewitching Trial Techniques, Direct Examination, New Orleans, October 30, 2015
  • Trial Advocacy Program, LSU Law Center Faculty, Baton Rouge, August 2015
  • Judgment Day: A Lawyer’s Soul on Trial, Inns of Court – Albert Tate, Jr., Lake Charles, March 10, 2015
  • Masters in Trial: A Trial Demonstration from Opening Statements through Jury Deliberation ABOTA, New Orleans December 5, 2014
  • Masters in Trial, American Board of Trial of Advocates, New Orleans, LA, November 22, 2013
  • Caught in a Crossfire – Rambo Litigator or Witness for Prosecution, Albert Tate Inn of Court, November 12, 2013
  • Rules, Reptiles & Focus Groups, Louisiana Association for Justice, December 13, 2012
  • Mastering the Deposition: Tips and Techniques, LSBA, November 28, 2012
  • How to Handle the Big Case from Both Sides, LSBA, October 12, 2012
  • Screws, plates, joints, drugs and the good doctor Whodunit, Intersecting issues of products liability and medical malpractice, LSBA, September 28, 2012
  • Medical Malpractice Perspectives, LSBA Seminar Chair, 2012 – Present
  • Legislative Update, Albert Tate Inn of Court, September 11, 2012
  • Masters in Jury Selection, American Board of Trial Advocates, December 2, 2011 – Present
  • Taking Depositions That Win Cases , Louisiana State Bar Association, November 11, 2011
  • Walking Wounded: Zealous Advocacy for Brain Injury Clients, with Robert Voogt, Ph.D., LAJ Webinar
  • Medical Malpractice Seminar, Louisiana State Bar Association, 2008
  • When Medical Art meets Technology, Louisiana State Bar Association, November 14, 2008
  • Lawyer as Investigator, Louisiana State Bar Association, November 30, 2007
  • Legislative Update, Albert Tate Inn of Court, November 11, 2007
  • Hitting the Lawyer in the Pocketbook, Albert Tate Inn of Court, February 14, 2006
  • Attorney Professionalism during Depositions, Tate Inn of Court, April 12, 2005
  • Things You Can’t do at Trial, Albert Tate Inn of Court, October 13, 2003
  • Operations – Posse Comitatus Limitations, Civil Air Patrol National Legal Officers College, November, 2003
  • Trial Litigation Ethics, Albert Tate Inn of Court, January 8, 2002
  • Handling the Defense Biomechanical Expert, LA Trial Lawyers Association, March 30, 2001
  • Insurance Bad Faith, LA Trial Lawyers Association
  • Demonstrative Evidence, Albert Tate Inn of Court
  • Y2K Litigation, LA Trial Lawyers Association
  • Legal Practice in the Next Century, Alexandria Bar Association
  • Computers: Y2K, Albert Tate Inn of Court
Past Employment Positions
  • Raleigh Newman, APLC, 1992 – 2001
Pro Bono Activities
  • Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program Board Member
  • Aviation Unit Manager, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office
  • Deputy Director, Calcasieu Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
  • St. Louis Catholic High School Foundation
  • Past President, Immaculate Conception Cathedral School PTO
  • Immaculate Conception Cathedral School Building on Tradition Capital Campaign
  • Wing Legal Officer, Civil Air Patrol, 1999 – 2003
  • National Legal Officer, Civil Air Patrol, 2003 – 2004
  • Assistant National Legal Officer, Civil Air Patrol, 2005 – 2009
Rock-Palermo III
337-202-2922

Lake Charles, Louisiana

337-310-1601