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 (1978-09-02) 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.

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

Non-Standing Committees

References

  1. "Jean-Paul Morrell, September 1978". Louisiana Secretary of State. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  2. "JP Morrell". jpmorrell.com. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
  3. Greg Hilburn (January 13, 2016). "Senate Labor chair won't support minimum wage increase". The Monroe News-Star. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
Preceded by
Arthur Morrell
Louisiana State Representative for
District 97 (Orleans Parish)

Jean-Paul Jude "J. P." Morrell
20062009

Succeeded by
Jared Brossett
Preceded by
Derrick Shepherd
Louisiana State Representative for
District 3 (Orleans Parish)

Jean-Paul Jude "J. P." Morrell
2009

Succeeded by
Incumbent
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