Welcome
to my web page. I hope it is of some benefit to you. I enjoy practicing
in different areas of the law. My
particular setting has allowed me this
opportunity.
I take pride in the fact
that I can render a broad range of legal
services
to my clients. My law office is situated in the
City of Patterson,
Louisiana. It is the place where I grew up
and attended public school.
Patterson is
situated in St. Mary Parish and is located in the southern region
of the
Atchafalaya Basin. It is also part of the area known as Acadiana
which has
a significant
cajun/french
influence. The
topography of the area is
very scenic with its sprawling giant oak
trees and picturesque bayous. I love
the
Acadian
culture
and its people and feel fortunate
to have had the experience of growing up and living here.
I am a graduate of LSU Law Center
situated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and have been practicing
law for thirty
years.
Malinda Bourgeois is a Notary
Public, legal assistant and loan closing
specialist who has been with
my office for over twenty seven years. We therefore have
combined
experience
of over fifty seven years. The following is some general background
information about myself:
Education:
(1) Bachelor of Arts Degree "with distinction" from
the University of Southwestern Louisiana
(2) Juris Doctor Degree from Louisiana State University (LSU Law Center)
Bar Admissions:
(1) Louisiana State Bar on April 28, 1978
(2) Middle District of Louisiana on May 18, 1979
(3) Western District of Louisiana on October 20, 1978
(4) Eastern District of Louisiana on October 8, 1980
(5) The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on May 17, 1979
Professional Memberships and Bar Associations:
(1) St. Mary Bar Association having served as Vice-President on two different
occasions
(2) Louisiana State Bar Association
(3) Louisiana Bar Foundation
(4) Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Practice and Employment:
(1) Former Law Clerk of the
16th Judicial District Court of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana
(2) Former Associate of the law firm of Bauer, Darnell, McNulty and Boudreaux
in Franklin, Louisiana
(3) Solo practice since March of 1982
(5) Magistrate of the Mayors' Courts for the City of Patterson and Town
of Berwick for over twenty years
(5) Former part time defender of the Indigent Defender Board of the 16th
Judicial District for 20 years
(6) General council for Wards 5 & 8 Joint Sewer Commission
Organizations:
(1) Third degree Knight of Columbus;
(2) Eucharistic Minister for 25 years at St. Bernadette Church;
(3) Two-term Parish Council Member at St. Bernadette Church;
(4) Past President of the Berwick Dixie Youth Baseball Program for two
years;
(5) Baseball and Biddy Basketball Coach for numerous years;
(6) Former Board Member of the Patterson Cypress & Sawmill Festival;
(7) Two-term Vice President of the St. Mary Bar Association;
(8) Fellow of the Louisiana Bar Foundation.
Martindale & Hubbell Ratings:
(1) Martindale & Hubbell Legal
Ability Rating of B (High to Very High)
(2) Martindale & Hubbell Ethical Standard Rating of V (Very High)
Family:
Married to Mary Ordogne Morella and the parents of two children
Interests/hobbies:
(1) Reading G. K. Chesterton
(2) Fishing and swimming
(3) Watching sports
(4) Yard work
(5) Traveling