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Cearley W. Fontenot serves as Chief Legal Affairs Officer and General Counsel for the University of èßäÉçÇø¹ÙÍø at Lafayette, 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 UL 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.

BA in Interpersonal and Public Communication, UL Lafayette, 2002 minor in English

Juris Doctor, LSU 2006

BS in Civil Law, LSU 2006