A lifelong resident of New Orleans, Desirée’s family traces their New Orleans roots back to the 1790s. She graduated from Cabrini High School, and went on to Loyola University for both her bachelor’s degree and juris doctor (law degree). A scholar of the law, Desirée is a sought-after lecturer and has been awarded a research grant by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Desirée is a former judge nationally known for her thoughtfulness, and a public servant whose career has been one of “firsts.” She was the first woman elected to serve as Recorder of Mortgages for the parish of Orleans, where she served for 10 years. Her office was one of the first to re-open after Hurricane Katrina, providing desperately needed property records to the city’s displaced residents. She was the first woman elected to the bench of Municipal Court in New Orleans, and the first to be elected Chief Judge. As a judge, she has taken a special interest in cases involving domestic violence, prostitution and human trafficking. She was among the first in the country to try alternatives to incarceration.

Most importantly, as a former judge, Desirée knows the law and uses her knowledge of the courtroom to her clients benefit in her newly formed law firm.  As a lawyer, Desirée will represent you in a variety of personal injury matters and will be your secret weapon in the courtroom. 

For the community, she has also given back to the community outside of work serving as President of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Louisiana, on the board of directors of My House, and as a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association.  Public service, when it’s done well, is a calling and a craft. Desirée has always taken the same care, and has that same work ethic, her grandfather and father taught her years ago—she’s a builder, too.