Lester Gauthier

Gauthier is a native of Maurice, Louisiana where he attended Maurice Elementary School through the eighth grade. He then attended Immaculata Seminary in Lafayette where he graduated from high school. He graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana with a degree in Political Science in 1970. Later, he attended graduate school and taught Political Science at USL

Gauthier graduated from L.S.U. Law School in 1976 and has practiced law in Lafayette for thirty-three years primarily in the area of criminal defense and personal injury.

As an avid supporter of French, Gauthier has been a member of La Table Francaise which has been meeting weekly in Lafayette for over twenty years. At this table the only rule is that everyone must speak French. During the past 30 years, he has been involved in many efforts to preserve Cajun culture and heritage, including singing and playing Cajun music.

Gauthier served two years in active military service in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He was stationed in San Diego, California, aboard an aircraft carrier the U. S. S. Ranger in the Western Pacific.

Gauthier served as host and producer of the show “Law Talk,” which aired on Acadiana Open Channel and also produced coverage of high school football games. He is the Vice-Chairman of the Lafayette Parish Democratic Executive Committee and has been active in the support of Democratic candidates locally and state-wide.

Gauthier is a member of the Top 28 Boys Basketball Blue Coats, a group that brought the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Boys Basketball Finals to Lafayette thirteen years ago. As a member of that group, he has hosted a team every year that the Top 28 has been in Lafayette.

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