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Cearley W. Fontenot serves as Chief Legal Affairs Officer and General Counsel for the ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½, leading the newly established Office of General Counsel in delivering proactive, solution‑driven legal strategy across the institution. A proud Ragin’ Cajun, Fontenot earned her BA in Interpersonal and Public Communication (minor in English) from ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ Lafayette in 2002, then received her J.D. from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 2006.

Before moving in‑house, she spent nearly two decades in private practice advising higher education and public institutions on employment, compliance, risk management, governance, research, athletics, and complex transactions. She partners closely with the President, executive leadership, deans, and directors to align legal guidance with the University’s academic mission, fiscal stewardship, and student success.

Juris Doctor, 2006
Louisiana State University

Bachelor of Science in Civil Law, 2006
Louisiana State University

Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal and Public Communication, Minor in English, 2002
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