Dean Wattigny announces candidacy for district court judge

NEW IBERIA, La. — Attorney Dean Wattigny has announced he is a candidate for district court judge, Division A, in the Nov. 4 election. The district includes the parishes of St. Martin, Iberia and St. Mary.
Wattigny, a partner in the firm of DeRouen and Wattigny, is also an assistant district attorney. As a lifelong resident of New Iberia, he has given back to his community by using his leadership skills through years of community involvement, he stated in an announcement.
“My wife and I have given prayerful consideration to this decision of seeking judgeship in the 16th Judicial District, and in doing so have also sought the counsel of family, friends, business, community, and legal leaders throughout the district,” said Wattigny.
“The knowledge and experience I have gained while working as an attorney over 37 years has influenced my decision to pursue this position in order to have a greater opportunity to positively impact the lives of the families and citizens of these three parishes. I am also influenced by a long-held family commitment of service to our community and a desire to maintain the high standards of judicial leadership which exists today in this 16th Judicial District.”
Wattigny graduated from Catholic High of New Iberia. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Southwestern Louisiana where he graduated with distinction and then earned his juris doctorate degree from LSU. He has practiced law in New Iberia since graduation from law school in 1976.
“Today I officially announce my candidacy for district judge,” said Wattigny. “In working toward this goal, I will continue to meet with the people of our district, listening to their concerns for the future while maintaining a candidacy based on my vision of a judgeship which incorporates the wisdom, integrity, and ethics of our legal system.”
Wattigny has been appointed as a temporary judge (judge ad hoc) for several cases in New Iberia City Court, and was a volunteer member of New Iberia’s Municipal Civil Service Commission for 15 years. His duties as an assistant district attorney include providing legal counsel to parish boards and governing bodies.
His professional involvement includes being a member and former president of the Iberia Bar Association and he has instructed students in the areas of business law, employment law, and political science. He has been listed on the Civil Mediation Register for Louisiana District Courts, and has a broad range of practice, including dispute resolution work, facing issues and litigation from both the plaintiff and defendant perspectives.
“This depth of experience provides me with the background necessary to understand issues in cases,” said Wattigny. “It has also allowed me the opportunity to know the law and how to appropriately and fairly apply it. That’s important when making decisions that can affect peoples’ lives.”
Wattigny has served as vice president and president of the New Iberia Kiwanis Club, and in his capacity as district lieutenant governor was chairman of a three-state Kiwanis Anti-Drug committee, receiving various distinguished awards for his work, most notably that of Kiwanian of the Year.
Wattigny has been an officer of the St. Edwards Elementary Parent Teacher Association, and member and president of the Catholic High School Board. He is a trustee of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in New Iberia, and he and his wife continue to serve as lectors and Eucharistic ministers for their parish.
Wattigny has been married to Catherine Fleming Wattigny, a school nurse, for 40 years, and they have three children, a daughter and son-in-law, and two grandchildren.
“While I am grateful for the many opportunities I have had in representing people, families, businesses and communities in my law practice,” said Wattigny, “it is Catherine’s and my involvement within our communities, education and religion that has meant the most to us both.”
It is that understanding of and deep commitment to the families who call St. Martin, Iberia and St. Mary home that helped Wattigny decide to run for district court judge.
“When someone finds themselves or someone they love in court, it is my experience and belief that they want to know that the judge is someone who possesses honesty and integrity and will treat all parties fairly under the law,” said Wattigny. “If I am elected district judge, I will strive to maintain the high judicial standards which the citizens of the 16th District have come to know.”
Information for the Nov. 4, Dec. 6 elections
The qualifying period is Aug. 20, 21 and 22.
Early voting is Oct. 21-28 (except Sunday) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the Nov. 4 primary election.
Early voting for the Dec. 6 general election is Nov. 22-29 (except Sunday) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Elections on the St. Mary Parish ballot include U.S. senator, U.S. representative, court of appeal judge, district judges, district attorney, school board member, justice of the peace, constables; Morgan City city court judge, Morgan City city court marshal; Patterson mayor, Patterson chief of police, Patterson council; Berwick mayor, Berwick council; Franklin city court judge, Franklin city court marshal; and Baldwin mayor, Baldwin chief of police and Baldwin aldermen.