Juan LaFonta

Juan Anthony LaFonta (born November 1972)[1] is a New Orleans personal injury attorney and former Democratic State Representative for Louisiana representing Louisiana House District 96. He was elected in 2005 during a special election and was unopposed in his 2007 re-election.

Juan A. LaFonta
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from the 96th district
In office
2005 – January 9, 2012
Succeeded byTerry Landry
Personal details
BornNovember 1972
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceNew Orleans, Louisiana
Alma materSouthern University Law Center (J.D.)
University of New Orleans (B.A.)
ProfessionAttorney
AwardsRue Ratings' Best Attorneys in America
WebsiteLaFontaLaw.com

LaFonta served as Louisiana first Freshmen legislator elected to Chairman of the Black Caucus. LaFonta also served on the Commerce Committee, the Insurance Committee, and the Retirement Committee. After Hurricane Katrina, LaFonta also served on the House Special Committee on Disaster Planning, Crisis Management, Recovery and Long-Term Revitalization.

Background

Juan LaFonta was born November 1972 in New Orleans. The son of a bricklayer and public school teacher, LaFonta has always known hard work. A graduate of Brother Martin High School, LaFonta received his undergraduate degree from the University of New Orleans (1997) and his Juris Doctor from Southern University Law School (2000.) LaFonta is also a former adjunct professor at Dillard University in New Orleans. LaFonta is of Creole descent.

Law Practice

In 2002, LaFonta opened his law firm, Juan A. LaFonta and Associates, L.L.C. LaFonta's first case resulted in a 1.2 million dollar win. Currently, LaFonta is regarded as one of the top African-American Lawyers in Louisiana. In 2016, LaFonta became a lifetime charter member of the Rue Ratings' "Best Attorneys of America" and Rue Ratings' "Best Law Firm."

Political career

Juan LaFonta was elected to the Louisiana State Legislature in 2005 under a special election several months before Hurricane Katrina. LaFonta, represented District 96 which include the historic neighborhoods of Faubourg, Marigny, Treme and Gentilly. LaFonta was the first ever freshman legislator to be elected to a caucus in U.S. history when he became chair of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus.

According to OurCampaigns.com LaFonta is "committed to economic development in his community, working to ease the tax burden on local businesses to help create jobs. He is a believer in accessible healthcare, championing the effort to rebuild Charity Hospital and pushing legislation to expand healthcare coverage and requirements on insurance companies." LaFonta served on several committees during his run in office including the Commerce Committee, the Retirement Committee, the Insurance Committee.

After Hurricane Katrina, LaFonta served the House Special Committee on Disaster Planning, Crisis Management, Recovery and Long-Term Revitalization. LaFonta also negotiated 1.2 billion dollars for the gulf coast region after Hurricane Katrina.

After losing the 2010 Democratic nomination in the 2010 U.S. House of Representatives elections, 2nd District, to fellow Democrat legislator Cedric Richmond, LaFonta endorsed the incumbent Republican Joseph Cao,[2] who was subsequently unseated by Richmond. LaFonta did not seek reelection to the state House in the 2011 primary. He was succeeded on January 9, 2012, by a fellow Democrat, Terry Landry, a former superintendent of the Louisiana State Police from Lafayette Parish.

Other Notable Positions

Awards
  • Kentucky Colonel, 2007
  • Louisiana AIDS Advocacy Network Award, 2009
  • Central City EOC Senior Center, 2009
  • New Orleans Council on Aging, Silver Fox Award, 2009
  • EBONetworks Changing Faces Award, 2009
  • National MS Society Award, 2011
  • Louisiana State Troopers Association, Legislator of the Year, 2011
  • Forum for Equality Acclaim Award, Legislator of the Year, 2012
  • Rue Ratings' "Best Law Firm" 2016
  • Rue Ratings' Lifetime charter member "Best Attorney's of America" 2016

See also
  • United States House of Representatives elections in Louisiana, 2010#District 2

References
  1. "Juan LaFonta, November 1972". Louisiana Secretary of State. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  2. Donze, Frank (2010-10-15). "Cao's vote on health care front and center at forum: Cao talks up Obama ties; another Democrat for Cao". Times-Picayune (Saint Tammany Edition). p. A2. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
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