Education
BA in Political Science, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 1970
J.D., Louisiana State University, 1976
Practicing attorney primarily in the field of criminal law since October 1, 1976.
Practicing under the firm name of Law Offices of Lester J. Gauthier, Jr. at 306 South Pierce Street, Lafayette, Louisiana since January 1, 1978.
Assistant City Attorney for the City of Lafayette, Louisiana from 1992 through 1995. Cases included risk management, road defect, public records, and community development issues.
United States v. William Bruce Hare, No. 88-60018-44, Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette, La. Three month long multi-defendant criminal trial in which the defendant was found not guilty.
United States v. Ho Van Duong, No. 01-20022-01, Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette, La. Federal criminal prosecution for aggravated battery. Defendant found not guilty.
United States v. Gerald Robinson, No. 02-60021-02, Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette, La. Federal prosecution for distribution of controlled substances. Defendant found not guilty.
United States v. M. Salman Farooq Qureshi, No. 04-60057-01,Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana. Federal criminal prosecution of the defendant for making false statements in connection with a terrorism-related investigation. A favorable plea agreement was negotiated. Counsel represented the defendant during extensive sentencing hearings.
State of Louisiana v. Terry Touchet, No. CR-6927, 31st Judicial District Court, Parish of Jefferson Davis. This case was first reported jury verdict under the Louisiana Racketeering statute. The defendant was found guilty. The conviction was reversed on appeal by different counsel at 759 So. 2d 194, 3rd Cir., 2000.
Edna Walsworth v. Dr. Teresita Gonzales, PCF No. 93-1009, Medical malpractice action before a medical review panel, settled prior to trial for over $500,000.
United States v. MJP, No. 2:12CR0108, Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana. Federal criminal prosecution of the defendant for making a false statement in an attempt to purchase a firearm. Not guilty verdict rendered in one day jury trial.
State of Louisiana v. KH, Nos. C-120242 & C-120243, Jeanerette City Court. State prosecution for two counts of Simple Battery upon students. Not guilty verdicts.
"Directed Verdicts in Louisiana Jury Trials: A Noble Purpose?"
Louisiana Bar Journal, vol. 30, No. 6, April, 1983."Selection: An Emerging Doctrine in the Uninsured Motorist Area or a One-Time Proposition?" Louisiana Bar Journal, vol. 31, No. 3, October, 1983.
"Camille Gravel: An Icon in the Louisiana Criminal Justice System and in Louisiana Politics," Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, The Advocate, Winter, 2006, www.lacdl.org
"Medical Malpractice in Louisiana," sponsored by the National Business Institute, 1997, 2000, and 2002.
"Handling Medical Negligence Cases in Louisiana," sponsored by the National Business Institute, 2002.
Political Science courses for two semesters at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette, 1970-1971.
Paralegal courses for three semesters at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 1985 through 1988.
"Family Law and Public Policy," Child and Family Studies, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 2005-2007.
Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Lafayette Parish Democratic Executive Committee, Former Vice-Chairman
Order of the Living Legends, the Acadian Museum
http://www.acadianmuseum.com/legends.php?viewID=196