Jimmy Domengeaux is well-known as a successful Lafayette attorney and member of the iconic Domengeaux family which has served our community well. Jimmy is a graduate of LSU Law School and has practiced law for 33 years at the Domengeaux, Wright, Roy & Edwards law firm. He cherishes his French roots grounded in South Louisiana and shares his story with Jan Swift of Discover Lafayette.

When asked to define what makes Acadiana so special, Jimmy recalled a classic Cajun song that sums up the culture: "Travailler c'est trop dur," which translates to "Working is too Hard." The cultural ethic defined in this song captures the hard work endured by the Acadian people, their family values, and the determined adherence to their French heritage.

Travailler c’est trop dur (Working is too hard)

Working is too hard,And stealing is not pretty,Asking for charityIs something that I cannot do.Each day that I live,They ask me, on what do you survive,I say I live on love,And I hope to live old.

I take my fiddle,And I grad the bow,I play my old waltzTo make my friends dance.You know, dear friends,That life is too shortTo live in sorrow,Let us dance tonight.

I get my old horseAnd I grab my old saddle.And I saddle my old horseTo go and get my darling.You know, dear,It’s far from one to the otherBut from San Antonio to Beaumont,I was looking just for you.

Zachary Richard, Les Editions du Marais Bouleur

While at LSU Law School, Jimmy wrote a Louisiana Law Review article in 1986 entitled, “Native Born Acadians and the Equality Ideal”, under the direction of Constitutional Law Professor Paul Baier. The article was based upon a 1980 federal lawsuit heard by U. S. District Judge Edwin Hunter in Lake Charles which decided whether or not French-speaking people, known as "Cajuns" and derogatory derivatives of that name, were protected as a class against employment discrimination under the Civil Rights Act. It became settled law that Acadian descendants were a "protected class" under federal law, and as Judge Hunter said, "You don't have to come from a country, it's your place of origin that decides whether or not you are protected."

Jimmy's uncle, also named Jimmy Domengeaux, was the founder of the Domengeaux Wright law firm, as well as the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana ("CODIFIL") which has worked diligently for the past 50 years to preserve the French language in Louisiana as well as to garner pride and respect for all people who descended from the Acadians deported from Acadie in Nova Scotia in 1755. CODIFIL was established during the time John McKeithen served as governor, and he well understood the mission of CODIFIL, as did local Acadiana icon Senator Sonny Mouton who shepherded the legislation through the Legislature.

Jimmy's father, Jerome Domengeaux, another South Louisiana icon, served as Chief Judge of the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeals and was renowned for his legal acumen. Jimmy's Louisiana roots run deep and his family has always enjoyed the outdoor pursuits offered freely in Louisiana's "Sportsman's Paradise."

http://www.jimmydomengeaux.com/

Now, back to our guest! Jimmy Domengeaux grew up enjoying opportunities to fish and hunt in the Atchafalaya Basin and marshes of South Louisiana. He always" felt a great connection with the serenity of the Atchafalaya Swamp" and particularly loved bass fishing and competing in fishing tournaments. While he always enjoyed being outdoors and viewing sunrises and sunsets, as Jimmy matured, he felt an obligation to capture the beautiful scenery he had always taken for granted. He picked up a camera, whatever it was, a Canon EOS or the camera on his iPhone.