DEBORAH M. HENSON

Lawyer ~

           Through her law office located in New Orleans, Louisiana – Law Office of Deborah M. Henson – Deb can provide representation for disciplinary matters, reinstatements, and appellate and pre-trial research & writing.  Because of her dual training as a lawyer and a clinical social worker, Deb also offers representaion and consultation to mental health practitioners and agencies.  Deb also has completed numerous adoptions for private individuals, foster parents who become adoptive parents, couples who adopt internationally, and same-sex couples who desire a “second parent” adoption (i.e., where one partner adopts without terminating the parental rights of his or her partner). 

            Deb is experienced in appellate law and is available to assist busy practitioners with legal research and writing of briefs and other memoranda that are lengthy and/or complex, or to be called into a case as the appellate counsel and sit side-bar during trial.  She was a Judicial Law Clerk at the Louisiana Supreme Court for several years, taught at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and – prior to Katrina – served as the Appellate Brief Writer for the City of New Orleans for two years. 

            Deb has also worked as Board Counsel for the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board and then represented attorneys in disciplinary matters (grievances and reinstatements) for years following her work at the Board. 

Psychotherapist ~

              "I enjoy working with individuals, couples, & families who are struggling with life challenges or transitions, such as relationship issues, teenager angst, lesbian/gay issues, & losses of all types. Therapy is an incredible inner journey - one that is both rewarding, yet tumultuous at times - and I'm honored to be trusted as a supportive guide on whatever path is chosen."

            Deb is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a clinical office in New Orleans. She is also available for legal/ethical consultation for clinicians. Deb represents clinicians who face disciplinary complaints and/or malpractice lawsuits.

Advocacy for Equality ~

            Deb helped found and served as the first president for three years for the statewide advocacy group for private practice third party payments called The Louisiana Committee for Social Work Vendorship, which negotiated and/or sued insurance companies that refused to reimburse social work providers of mental health services.  Eventually, the group prevailed and the mission turned more to lobbying on behalf of social work practitioners.

            Deb also has worked as a change agent for equality in the context of women’s rights in employment (Tulsa, Oklahoma sex discrimination litigation), women’s right to live free of violence (Women Against Violence Against Women, New Orleans), and same-sex partners’ rights to receive the same health care benefits for their partners and families that their heterosexual colleagues enjoy (University of Pittsburgh domestic partner litigation).

View full resume (click here).