United States Attorney
Donald W. Washington
Donald W. Washington was appointed to the position of United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana in September of 2001 by President George W. Bush, and was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 23, 2001. As United States Attorney, Mr. Washington is the chief federal law enforcement officer in the Western District of Louisiana and responsible for prosecuting and defending the interests of the United States. The Western District of Louisiana is comprised of 5 judicial divisions, 2 manned offices, 42 parishes, and 5 major metropolitan areas including Shreveport, Lafayette, Monroe, Alexandria, and Lake Charles.
In his capacity as United States Attorney, Mr. Washington serves on the Attorney General's Advisory Committee, including the Anti-Terrorism Subcommittee, the Controlled Substance Subcommittee, and the Native American Issues Subcommittee. Mr. Washington has previously served as Chairman of the Southeast Region Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The Southeast Region OCDETF includes Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Prior to being appointed as United States Attorney, Mr. Washington was a partner in the Lafayette, Louisiana law firm of Jeansonne & Remondet where he practiced commercial, admiralty, insurance, employment, and toxic tort litigation.
Previously, Mr. Washington held a variety of positions with Conoco Inc from 1982-1996. He and his family moved to Louisiana in 1993, where he served as Chief Counsel for Conoco's Gulf of Mexico Division until his departure from Conoco in 1996.
Mr. Washington served as a commissioned officer on active duty in the United States Army from 1977- 1982 in the Air Defense Artillery branch. He was stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas; Camp Casey, Korea; and Fort Hood, Texas while on active duty. During this time he held various troop leadership and staff positions, and was special liaison to the General Dynamics Corp. for a military research and development project. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1983-1987.
Mr. Washington received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering in 1977 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He received a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from South Texas College of Law in 1989.
Mr. Washington has served on many Boards and Commissions, including Lafayette Regional Airport Commission; Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce; Bayou Council Girl Scouts; Goodwill Industries of Acadiana; United Way of Acadiana; and the Lafayette Education Foundation. He is often asked to speak at various functions throughout the district.