We take the time to earn your trust – and serve clients from all walks of life with integrity and commitment.

Theresa Ann Barnatt

Theresa Ann Barnatt

  • Partner

Contact Me:

Areas of Practice

  • Estate Planning
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Probate & Estate Administration
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Small Successions
  • Continuing Tutorships

Biography

Theresa was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana where she has spent most of her life. She relocated to Connecticut for a period of time where she received her Bachelor of Science in Business from Central Connecticut State University and Juris Doctor degree from Quinnipiac School of Law (formerly the University of Bridgeport). She was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1991, the Louisiana Bar in 1992 and to practice before the United States Tax Court in 1994. Theresa, an AV-Rated Attorney, is certified as a Specialist in Estate Planning and Administration by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization and has served as a member of its Advisory Commission for Estate Planning and Administration. Theresa is very active in the Louisiana State and Southwest Louisiana Bar Associations and Foundations. She is past president of the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association and the current President of the Southwest Louisiana Bar Foundation. She is a long time member of the Louisiana State Bar Association House of Delegates and is currently serving on its Access to Justice Committee. In addition, Theresa is very active in her community and has helped organize numerous civic and non-profit organizations and she has served as president of the Lake Charles Rotary Club and the Lake Charles Ballet Society.

Education

  • Quinnipiac University School of Law, Hamden, Connecticut
    • J.D. - 1991
  • Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, Connecticut
    • Bachelor Science - 1988
    • Honors: Department of Business Chairman's Award, 1988
    • Honors: Who's Who Among American College Students
    • Major: Business Education
  • McNeese State University
    • Associates Degree

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association, Member
  • Louisiana Bar Association, Member
  • Southwest Louisiana Bar Association, Member
  • Phi Chi Theta Sorority, President
  • American Bar Association, Member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
  • Connecticut Bar Association, Member, 1991
  • Louisiana State Bar Association, Member, Trust, Estate, Probate and Immovable Property Law Section
  • Louisiana State Bar Association, Member, House of Delegates, 2004
  • Louisiana State Bar Association, Member, Access to Justice Committee, 2008
  • Louisiana State Bar Association, Member, Estate Planning and Administration Advisory Committee
  • Louisiana State, Former Member, Community Action Committee
  • Louisiana State Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2002
  • Louisiana State Bar Foundation, Member, Board of Directors, 2009 to 2010
  • Louisiana State Bar Foundation, Member, Education Committee Liaison, 2009 to 2010
  • Louisiana State Bar Foundation, Community Partnership Panel, 2010 to 2011
  • Southwest Louisiana Bar Association, Treasurer, 2001 to 2002
  • Southwest Louisiana Bar Association, Secretary, 1998 to 2000
  • Southwest Louisiana Bar Association, Executive Council, 1996 to 2006
  • Southwest Louisiana Bar Association, Chairman of Special Events, 1996 to 1997
  • Southwest Louisiana Bar Association, Member, Ethics & Grievance Committee, 1996 to 1998
  • Southwest Louisiana Bar Foundation, President, 2009
  • United Way of Southwest Louisiana, Former Member, Board of Directors
  • United Way of Southwest Louisiana Foundation, Committee, Former Vice Chairman

Honors

  • Merit Scholar, Quinnipiac School of Law (Formerly Bridgeport School of Law)
  • Fannie Glickstein Scholarship Recipient Given in Recognition of Public Interest Work
  • Southwest Louisiana Bar Association, President's Award for Outstanding Service
  • Board Certified in Estate Planning and Administration by the Louisiana State Bar Association Board of Legal Specialization
  • Served as the First Judge of the Calcasieu Parish Teen Court

Bar Admissions

  • Louisiana, 1992
  • Connecticut, 1991
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana
  • U.S. Tax Court

Pro-Bono Activities

  • Lake Charles Rotary Club, President, 2001 to 2002
  • Founding Member, Board of Directors, Krewe Du Lac, 1997 to 2002
  • Past President, Lake Charles Ballet Society
  • Sustaining Member, Junior League of Lake Charles
  • Leadership Class, Southwest Louisiana Chamber of Commerce, 2001 to 2001

Past Positions

  • Connecticut State Legislative Judiciary Committee, Legislative Intern, 1991 to 1991
  • Calcasieu Parish Teen Court, First Judge

Current Employment Position

  • Partner