Jean-Paul Morrell
| Jean-Paul Jude "J. P." Morrell | |
|---|---|
| Louisiana State Senator for District 3 (Orleans Parish) |
|
| Assumed office 2009 |
|
| Preceded by | Derrick Shepherd |
| Louisiana State Representative for District 97 (Orleans Parish) |
|
| In office 2006–2008 |
|
| Preceded by | Arthur Morrell |
| Succeeded by | Jared Brossett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 2, 1978 New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Catherine Morrell |
| Children | Jude and Fiona Morrell |
| Parents | Arthur Morrell Cynthia Hedge-Morrell |
| Residence | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Alma mater | Spring Hill College Tulane University School of Law |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
Jean-Paul Jude Morrell, also known as J. P. Morrell (born September 2, 1978),[1] is a lawyer from his native New Orleans, Louisiana, who is an African-American Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate for District 3 in Orleans Parish.
Contents
Background
JP was first elected to public office as a state representative in 2006, where he served until joining the Senate in 2008. He is a constant advocate for well-paying jobs, quality schools, safe streets, and accountable government. One of his top priorities has been the battle against sexual assault, and he has developed an entire package of legislation to address the issue.
As the son of a career educator and principal, JP spent more than the average share of time during his childhood at schools. During this influential period in his life, he learned the value of a quality education. He saw how hard work before, during, and after class paved the way for future rewards. However, he also noted the pivotal role that community plays in an individual’s life, observing that success depends on a network of supporters — from parents and teachers to administrators and lawmakers. JP’s commitment to education is so strong that he resigned his longstanding position on the Louisiana State Senate’s Natural Resources Committee to fill the vacant seat on the Senate Education Committee. This bold move in 2015 came at a contentious time for education in Louisiana.
JP’s own education includes graduating from Spring Hill College with a degree in Political Science. He later went on to Tulane University Law School, where he was elected as the first African-American President of the Tulane Graduate and Professional Studies Association (GaPSA), the governing student organization over all Tulane Graduate Programs. He graduated from Tulane Law School with a Juris Doctorate and Certification in Civil Law.
Throughout college, JP spent his summers working with the Art without a Roof Program, part of the New Orleans Public School Homeless Education Program, where he taught creative writing to homeless children.
JP began his law career at Morrell & Morrell, LLC, which he co-founded with his father, Arthur Morrell. During this time, he also worked as a member of the Orleans Parish Office of Indigent Public Defender Program (OIDP), serving as the Public Defender for Magistrate Court until his election to the Louisiana State Legislature. Today he is Of Counsel to the Middleberg Riddle Group, a New Orleans-based law firm.
Political life
Morrell's District 3 spans parts of St. Bernard, Orleans, and Jefferson parishes.[2]
Senate President John Alario in 2016 appointed Morrell chairman of the pivotal Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee.[3]
Standing Committees
- Chairman, Senate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs
- Senate Education
- Senate & Governmental Affairs
- Joint Legislative Committee on Capitol Outlay
Non-Standing Committees
- Chairman of the Entertainment Industry Development Advisory Commission
- Chairman of the Orleans Justice and Rehabilitation Reform Commission
- Chairman Pre-trial Services Commission
- Select Committee on Hurricane Recovery
- Law Enforcement Management District of Orleans Parish
- Select Committee on Oversight of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility
References
| Preceded by | Louisiana State Representative for District 97 (Orleans Parish) Jean-Paul Jude "J. P." Morrell |
Succeeded by Jared Brossett |
| Preceded by
Derrick Shepherd
|
Louisiana State Representative for District 3 (Orleans Parish) Jean-Paul Jude "J. P." Morrell |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
- Pages using div col with unknown parameters
- 1978 births
- Living people
- Louisiana lawyers
- Members of the Louisiana House of Representatives
- Louisiana State Senators
- Louisiana Democrats
- Politicians from New Orleans, Louisiana
- African-American politicians
- Spring Hill College alumni
- Tulane University Law School alumni
