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September 2024

Ragan Richard, a 1993 graduate of LSU Law, became chair of the Law Dean’s Council in 2024. Since graduating law school, he has joined Phelps Dunbar LLC, raised a family, and represented a wide range of corporations and organizations in projects that have expanded opportunities in Louisiana. Richard has also continued to support the Law Center in its efforts to attract and retain the best law students and encourage faculty research. Learn more about Richard (including his pick for Vandy v. LSU in November) in our Dean’s Council Spotlight below.

The Dean’s Council provides LSU Law alumni with the opportunity to remain engaged with their alma mater while helping underwrite tuition waivers for LSU Law students. Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of the Dean’s Council. Send any questions you have about membership to Calli Scelfo at cscelfo@lsufoundation.org.

DEAN’S COUNCIL SPOTLIGHT

You’re a Louisiana native, but before beginning your studies at LSU Law in the fall of 1990 you earned your bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University in biomedical engineering. We’ll get the hardest question out of the way. The Vanderbilt Commodores will play LSU in Tiger Stadium on Nov. 23. Who are you rooting for?

I always root for the Tigers!

Why did you choose to move to Nashville to earn your undergraduate degree?

My parents encouraged me to consider out of state colleges. I was torn between Vanderbilt and Notre Dame. A visit to South Bend during a winter snowstorm made Nashville much more appealing. Ironically, going away to college gave me a deeper appreciation for the great state of Louisiana.

Were there ways in which your studies in biomedical engineering complemented your legal education?
I always enjoyed math in school. Vanderbilt’s engineering program emphasized analysis, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership. Interestingly, these skills closely mirror the fact-finding and analytical thinking required to excel in law school and in a corporate business practice.

There were a number of legendary professors on faculty when you were in law school. Who was your favorite?

Professor George W. Pugh. We connected right away, both of us having grown up on Bayou Lafourche. May he rest in peace.

Since you graduated, you have continuously given back to LSU Law, and we thank you for your generous support. Admittedly, you graduated at a time when the Law Center was emerging from the “high attrition” era. Why was it so important to you to support the Law Center, even when you were just starting out in your career?

Higher education is a privilege, and I have always been grateful for the enriching experience I had at LSU Law. Not everyone has this opportunity, but with alumni support, we can expand our student body and fund the incredible research conducted by our top-tier faculty.

Let’s get into what you’ve been up to since graduation. You joined Phelps a few years after graduating from LSU Law in 1993 and have been with the firm ever since, making partner in 2001. What makes Phelps a great place for an LSU Law graduate to start and build a career, and what do you love most about your work?

I was blessed to join a wonderful firm that prioritized virtue, collaboration, respect and balance. We are friends first. Phelps fosters a strong work ethic and a clients-first mentality. I enjoy helping our clients solve their legal issues. However, I don’t possess the skills to do this alone. Phelps has provided me the privilege of working alongside much smarter, experienced attorneys throughout the southeast, gaining knowledge through them. New lawyers benefit from leaders in their fields of practice as I did. Additionally, Phelps provides access to invaluable resources, training and mentoring programs. To me, it’s the ideal environment to not only learn the law but also master the art of practicing it.

Through your extensive work in corporate and finance law, you’ve represented a wide range of corporations and organizations in business transactions. Can you tell us about any particularly interesting cases that you’re proud to have worked on?

I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to work on some of the most interesting projects both in Baton Rouge and beyond its borders. Playing a role, along with many good friends at other local law firms, in the Nicholson Gateway Project was particularly exciting, as was assisting a large segment of the Louisiana sugar industry vertically integrate into the sugar refining business. It’s truly an honor to play a small part in expanding industries and opportunities in our region.

What keeps you busy outside the office, and what are your favorite hobbies?

My favorite activity is spending time with my growing family. Virginia and I have been blessed with five wonderful children, two sons in law, two grandkids, and hopefully more to come. Since some are spread out, we spend a fair amount of time traveling to visit them and soaking up some special family moments on the Mississippi coast. Additionally, I work hard to grow in my faith and service to others, a significant and fulfilling part of my life.

We just welcomed the Class of 2027 to their first semester at LSU Law. Any advice for our current students?

Be grateful for each day. Stay humble and kind. Make the most of the opportunity you have been given and enjoy the ride.