My Story

My path to becoming an attorney is shaped by both personal experience and the legacy of the people who came before me. Before I ever represented a client, I faced the justice system from the side where too many people feel ignored, silenced, or overpowered. I’ve experienced moments where my rights were violated, where authority was abused, and where powerful institutions acted without accountability. Those experiences didn’t define me — but they changed me. They gave me firsthand insight into the fear, frustration, and uncertainty many of my clients face when they walk into my office.

Instead of letting those moments break me, they became my turning point. They pushed me to rebuild my life, pursue an education, and dedicate myself to ensuring that no one stands alone in front of a system that doesn’t always treat people fairly. But resilience didn’t start with me — it runs in my family.

My roots in South Louisiana extend back to the 1700s, and my family’s history is filled with stories of people who confronted barriers with determination and purpose.

One of my ancestors, François Charles Deléry (1815–1880), was denied the chance to study medicine in Louisiana solely because of his race. Instead of accepting that injustice, he traveled to Paris in the 1830s, earned his medical degree, and returned to New Orleans. He served as City Physician and later President of the Board of Health, becoming a respected medical leader whose writings from the 1850s–1870s are preserved today in the Tulane University archives.

Another ancestor, Manuel Perez (1871–1946), helped shape the foundation of New Orleans jazz. As a cornetist and bandleader for the Onward Brass Band and the Imperial Orchestra, he played a pivotal role in the music that defines this city. Louis Armstrong once said of him:

“Emanuel couldn’t speak so much English (he spoke French), but his horn would talk any language.”

That spirit — communicating strength through action when words fall short — is something I carry with me.

On my father’s side, my family farmed cotton and timber in Pointe Coupée Parish throughout the 1800s and mid 1900s. My father moved to New Orleans to attend high school; served in the Air Force during Vietnam then he built his life through honest, hard work: hauling sugar for Domino, moving Sea-Land containers, and working in the moving and logistics trades. My family’s legacy is one of service, perseverance, and deep Louisiana roots.

These stories — both personal and generational — guide the way I practice law. I understand what it feels like to be vulnerable in the legal system, and I take seriously the responsibility of standing up for someone who trusts me with their future. I bring professionalism, compassion, and strength to every case I handle.

My mission is simple: I protect the people of South Louisiana with the expertise of an attorney and the heart of someone who has lived the realities many of my clients face. I fight for my clients because their stories matter — and because my own story shows me every day that justice is worth fighting for.