If you spend a few minutes with Major General Hunt Downer Jr., one line sticks: “If you hang around long enough, eventually you come to the top.” He says it with a smile, but behind that easy humor sits more than five decades of legal work, public service, and commitment to South Louisiana families.
Hunt’s story with Waitz & Downer started when he was a senior in law school, clerking for Joseph L. Waitz. After he earned his law degree in 1972, he applied for a job, joined the firm, and never left. He often says, “I’ve been here with the family, and we’ve run it like a family,” and that simple truth shapes how he still practices law today.
Meeting Hunt Through His Own Words & Voice
In his bio video, Hunt does not lead with titles. Instead, he talks about people, teamwork, and treating clients like family. When people ask what sets our firm apart, he answers plainly: “We care. We treat you like family. And here we all bring something to the table and you have to approach it as a team effort.”
That short quote captures the way he sees our work at Waitz & Downer. No one handles a case alone. Our attorneys, staff, and clients sit on the same side of the table and move forward together. Hunt has spent 53 years here, and he still talks in terms of “we,” not “I.”
He also has a gift for down-to-earth images. He compares our team to “seasoning on a steak. A little salt and a little pepper.” Each person brings something different, and together we create the right balance of strength, insight, and care for every client.
From South Louisiana Roots To A Lifetime Of Service
Hunt’s story starts in South Louisiana. He was born in New Orleans and grew up in Houma. He stayed close to home for school, earning a BS in Agriculture from Nicholls State University in 1968 and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola School of Law in 1972. Those roots matter. They connect him to the same communities, industries, and families our firm serves every day.
Only three years after graduating from law school, he ran for public office and won. Voters in Louisiana’s House District 52 elected him to the Louisiana House of Representatives, where he served seven terms over 28 years. During that time, he held key leadership roles, including Speaker Pro Tempore of the House from 1988 to 1992 and Speaker of the House from 1996 to 2000.
During his years in the legislature, he did more than hold a gavel. He served on multiple committees, boards, and councils, with a clear commitment to legislation that supports the Military, Veterans, Law Enforcement, Firefighters, First Responders, Homeland Security, and Emergency Preparedness. That focus speaks to who he is—a person who looks first to those who stand on the front lines for the rest of us.
Military Leadership & A Commitment To Those Who Serve
Hunt’s public service does not stop at the State Capitol. He also built a long and decorated military career. He began with three-and-a-half years in the U.S. Army Reserve, then earned a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. Later, he joined the Louisiana Army National Guard and received a commission as a First Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps.
Over the years, he rose to serve as an Assistant Adjutant General with the Louisiana National Guard, retiring in 2010 as a Major General with more than 30 service awards. Along the way, he completed demanding military education, including:
- United States Army War College in Pennsylvania (1999)
- Judge Advocate General’s Officer Basic and Advanced courses
- Air Assault School
- Military Police Officer Qualifications course
- U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
From 2004 to 2008, he served as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA). Between 2006 and 2008, he also worked as a Legislative Affairs Liaison. Those roles deepened his work with veterans and their families and gave him a close view of how laws and programs affect people on the ground.
When you listen to him talk about “taking care of your family,” you can hear the influence of that background. Whether he speaks about soldiers, first responders, or injured workers, he returns to the same theme: people who give a lot need someone standing up for them when life turns upside down.
Why Hunt’s Background Matters To Our Clients
Today, Hunt serves as a proud partner at Waitz & Downer. He works as a trial and litigation attorney focusing on plaintiff work. Over the years, he has represented state and local agencies, including first responders, as well as individuals in the oil, gas, and seafood industries. Those are the same industries that define life and work along the Gulf Coast.
His practice includes:
- Personal injury matters
- Maritime injury cases
- Offshore injury claims
When he says, “53 years doing this. I’ve seen it all. But the principles are the same. Take care of your family,” he draws on decades in the courtroom, in the legislature, and in uniform. That perspective helps our team understand what our clients face when a serious accident, offshore injury, or industrial disaster changes everything.
At Waitz & Downer, we often say we treat clients like family. Hunt lives that out in how he handles cases and how he talks about the people we represent. He listens. He explains the process in plain language. He works with our team to build a strong path forward, whether a case involves a maritime injury, an offshore platform accident, or a serious crash on Louisiana roads.
Seeing The Person Behind The Uniform & The Title
The video you see above does not list Hunt’s awards or titles. Instead, you hear his voice, his humor, and his values. You hear a lawyer who started here as a young clerk and never forgot that real families stand behind every file. You hear someone who believes that no matter how complex the law becomes, the core job remains the same: take care of your family.
That is the spirit that guides our work at Waitz & Downer. Our attorneys grew up here, work here, and stand beside our neighbors through personal injuries, maritime and offshore accidents, hurricane claims, and disability matters. With three generations of the Waitz family, Hunt’s leadership, and a dedicated local team, we approach every case as a team effort with real people at the center.
How To Connect With Hunt & Our Team
If you or someone you love faces a serious injury, an offshore or maritime accident, or another life-changing event, you do not have to figure it out alone. Our team offers free, confidential consultations. From the first call, we answer questions, explain your options, and focus on your peace of mind.
When you reach out to Waitz & Downer at (985) 331-7832, you connect with a firm that has served South Louisiana since 1971 and a team that includes leaders like Hunt Downer Jr., who have devoted their lives to service. We care. We treat you like family. And we stand with you, every step of the way.