Legal icon gone from HTV but not out

For a quarter-century bayou country viewers have best known attorney Jimmy Dagate from his regular appearances on HTV’s Bayou Time television show.

What may be local television’s second-longest running act – second only to station owner Martin Folse – has come to a close. But Dagate says his legal practice will not.

A 4-year battle against kidney cancer now requires an advanced approach from doctors, said Dagate, 59, who is conserving his strength for the practice he shares with sons Jason and Jacob.

“It has gotten to a point because of treatments I need to put that on the back burner so that I can concentrate on my job and my treatment,” Dagate said last week. “The disease has progressed so now as a result of the progression the doctors will need more of my time. I don’t want to reduce my work-load, so I would rather give up the stuff that I did an ancillary.”

“Bayou Time” is Folse’s signature news show and is carried by stations KFOL and KJUN, airing or coming over cable in the parishes of Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary.

Over the years Dagate has had discussions of current events with Folse, fielded on-air phone calls from listeners, offered his own commentary and was a built-in expert on legal issues.

“Jimmy is a steady hand at every wheel he touches,” Folse said Monday. I can always go to Jimmy for honest advice.”

Folse and others who know Dagate well praised his loyalty and sense of humor.

As an assistant district attorney under Joe Waitz Jr., Dagate represents the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District.

While his personal practice primarily focuses on civil liability cases, the work he is proudest of involved crafting papers and providing advice on the Levee District’s quest to flood proof Terrebonne Parish as best as it can.

His role on the legal end regarding creation of a Morganza-to-the-Gulf project using taxpayer money and government dollars, bypassing a muscle-bound and paralyzed federal system, is what Dagate sees so as his most important accomplishment for Terrebonne and its people.

He serves as a mentor to many younger local attorneys, and especially his two sons.

Jason Dagate, a trial prosecutor in Waitz’s office, says that everything he ever needed to know he learned from his father.

“When I was a kid my dad was my hero, he is still my hero, and that is true for my brother as well” said Jason, recalling his lack of surprise upon learning that the elder Dagate would see his treatment through for as long as possible while still serving clients.

Dagate’s peers in the legal community said they hold him in high esteem as well.

“He is an invaluable asset to our community both as a lawyer ad as a genuinely good person,” said Houma attorney Michel Samanie, expressing certainty that he is not alone in wishing Dagate a rapid recovery.

Dealing with the rigors of cancer treatment and a career, Dagate said, might not be possible without the support o friends and loved ones.

His wife, Jenny, whom he married in 1978, had been an invaluable coach and cheerleader combined.

Working regularly with son Jacob has been, in Dagate’s words “a joy,” and one of the things that make him describe himself as a lucky man.

“The ironic thing is the work is a positive diversion from the disease,” Dagate said. “It gives me some more motivation as to how I can keep going. On the personal side, I like to live so that gives me a motivation there. I want to live, to make sure they are taken care of, and see to it that everything is done in an orderly manner.”

Jimmy Dagate