HR 71

ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 71
BY REPRESENTATIVE TAYLOR
  A RESOLUTION
To commend Bridget A. Dinvaut for her outstanding career in criminal justice.
       WHEREAS, it is most fitting to recognize Bridget A. Dinvaut for her dedication to
protecting and serving the citizens of Louisiana and to commend her outstanding career in
criminal justice; and
       WHEREAS, Bridget A. Dinvaut is a native of St. John the Baptist Parish who began
her career in criminal justice nearly thirty years ago; she received a bachelor of science
degree in criminal justice from Southern University at New Orleans and a certification in
supervision and management from the University of New Orleans; and
       WHEREAS, from 1984 through 1985, Ms. Dinvaut worked as a bounty hunter and
private investigator; in 1986, she worked as an undercover narcotics officer employed by the
St. John the Baptist Sheriff's Office, where she displayed a strong work ethic, leadership, and
professionalism and earned the rank of lieutenant commander of the Narcotics Division; and
       WHEREAS, Ms. Dinvaut's work with state and federal law enforcement task forces
allowed her to transition from local law enforcement to the federal criminal justice system;
from 1994 through 2002, she served as a federal law enforcement officer and was assigned
to federal supervision and pre-sentence investigations with the United States District Court
for the Eastern District of Louisiana and the United States District Court for the Southern
District of Florida; during her federal service, she served as a sentencing specialist for the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act and as a lead safety and training instructor; and
       WHEREAS, Ms. Dinvaut relinquished her federal law enforcement career in 2002
and pursued a legal career at the Southern University Law Center, where she earned a juris
doctor degree and graduated magna cum laude; during her second year in law school, she
accepted a position at the law firm of Lemle & Kelleher, L.L.P., where she practiced civil
defense litigation in transportation, labor and employment, and insurance law; as a senior
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HR NO. 71  ENROLLED
associate with the firm, she represented numerous public and private clients in state and
federal courts; and
       WHEREAS, on January 12, 2015, Ms. Dinvaut became Louisiana's first-ever African
American woman to be sworn in as an elected district attorney; she also became the first
female elected to the 40th Judicial District Attorney's Office in St. John the Baptist Parish;
and
       WHEREAS, District Attorney Dinvaut has concentrated office resources to bring
violent criminals to justice and spearheaded programs for the benefit and welfare of the
citizens of St. John the Baptist Parish; she established the Opportunity Now Program, which
is dedicated to providing eligible non-violent felony offenders with a second chance to
become productive citizens; and
       WHEREAS, District Attorney Dinvaut established diversion programs to assist first-
time and low-risk offenders, and she spearheaded a campaign to educate the public on elder
abuse crimes; she instituted an "Education Matters" program to highlight the importance of
education in crime prevention, and she has supported youth-focused groups such as Young
Marines; and
       WHEREAS, District Attorney Dinvaut is a member of the Louisiana District
Attorney Association Board of Directors; on September 29, 2016, she was appointed to the
Louisiana Reentry Advisory Council by Governor John Bel Edwards, and she was
reappointed to the council on December 28, 2020; and
       WHEREAS, District Attorney Dinvaut expanded the 40th Judicial District's Victim's
Assistance Program by assigning a victim's assistant to each division in the district; in
September 2018, she launched a cost-free crime prevention initiative program known as St.
John P.R.O.U.D., which consists of six consecutive weeks of soft skill training and assists
in the transition to the local workforce for gainful employment; and
       WHEREAS, District Attorney Dinvaut's office began the Restorative Justice
Electronic Classroom program in January 2020; the program gives participants access to
over twenty-five online education courses that feature audio, video, and reading materials
offered by subject matter experts in each field; these educational opportunities work to
support local nonprofit organizations and provide quality educational experiences for the
participants; and
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HR NO. 71  ENROLLED
       WHEREAS, in March 2020, District Attorney Dinvaut established a partnership with
the Youth Empowerment Project to facilitate a juvenile diversion program in St. John the
Baptist Parish; in September 2020, The Community Foundation of Acadiana awarded her
with the Leaders in Law Enforcement Award in recognition of her exceptional work and
impact on the community; and
       WHEREAS, on January 26, 2021, District Attorney Dinvaut was appointed by
Governor John Bel Edwards to serve on the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and
Administration of Criminal Justice Board; on May 5, 2021, Governor Edwards appointed
her to serve on the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training; and
       WHEREAS, on August 15, 2022, the Louisiana District Attorneys Association
announced District Attorney Dinvaut's election as president of the association's board of
directors; and
       WHEREAS, District Attorney Dinvaut is the daughter of Rudolph G. Dinvaut and
Corine Pipion Dinvaut and has two sisters, Bonnie Dinvaut and Billie Dinvaut-Duncan; she
is a proud Christian and is married to former NBA player Michael A. Sanders; and
       WHEREAS, District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut is an incredibly gifted woman, and
she is most deserving of the highest recognition for her incredible professional
achievements.
       THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Bridget A. Dinvaut for her outstanding
career in criminal justice; does hereby express enduring appreciation for her many
contributions to St. John the Baptist Parish and the state of Louisiana; and does hereby
extend sincere wishes that she remain prosperous in all of her endeavors.
  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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