Major General Hunt Downer is a native of New Orleans who was proudly raised in Houma, Louisiana. After graduating in 1968 from Nicholls State University with a BS in Agriculture, he went on to earn his Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola School of Law in 1972.

Three years later, he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives, ultimately serving seven terms across 28 years as a member of the House for District 52. He went on to serve as Speaker Pro Tempore of the House from 1988 to 1992 and as Speaker of the House from 1996 to 2000. There, he served on a number of committees, boards, and councils and made a commitment to legislation supporting ​​the Military, Veterans, Law Enforcement, Firefighters, First Responders, Homeland Security, and Emergency Preparedness.

In 2004, he added Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA) to his running list of titles, a role in which he served until 2008. Additionally, he welcomed the position of Legislative Affairs Liason from 2006 until 2008.

Downer is a proud United States Military veteran, beginning his service with three-and-a-half years in the U.S. Army Reserve before earning a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. He later joined the Louisiana Army National Guard, receiving a commission as a First Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He rounded out his military service as an Assistant Adjutant General with the Louisiana National Guard, retiring in 2010 with more than 30 service awards to his name.

During his time in the military, Downer additionally graduated from the United States Army War College in Pennsylvania in 1999, as well as Judge Advocate General’s Officer Basic and Advanced courses, the Air Assault School, the Military Police Officer Qualifications course, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

A proud partner of Waitz & Downer, Downer is a trial and litigation attorney who specializes in plaintiff work and possesses experience in representing state and local agencies including first responders, as well as individuals in the oil, gas, and seafood industries.