Longtime Lafourche attorney dies at 80

The Lafourche Parish Bar Association honored the late Edward Diaz, a longtime Golden Meadow and Lafourche Parish attorney, who practiced law for more than 50 years.

Diaz died on Feb. 19 following a brief hospitalization for a stroke. He died at age 80.

Up until the stroke, Diaz continued to practice law.

After serving as a second lieutenant in World War II, Diaz went on to enroll and subsequently graduate from the Louisiana State University Law School.

He passed the state bar exam in 1952 and embarked on a legal career that was marked by a number of firsts, among them having served as the first attorney and city judge for the City of Thibodaux, as well as being the first attorney to establish a practice in South Lafourche.

Diaz was also the first attorney to practice in the town of Golden Meadow, and served as the town’s legal representative for many decades. In fact, Diaz served in the role for the town until his death.

Throughout his career, Diaz served as mentor and law partner to many current attorneys in Lafourche Parish including former district judge John Erny, L.G. LaPlante, Harwell Herrin, Carlton Cheramie and Henry Lafont. In fact, it was Lafont who gave the address acknowledging Diaz on the occasion of his 50 years of law practice in the parish.

Diaz was also a one-time law partner of the late Maurice Serpas, who eventually maintained his own practice in Galliano.

Carl Chauvin, who also practices law in Golden Meadow and also represented the town alongside Diaz, also had words of praise for his former colleague. “Ed has my unqualified admiration and respect. He had such a big impact on so many individuals in the legal profession in the parish. He was seen by many as an elder statesman regarding the law,” said Chauvin. “Even when he had no reason to, he always had time for me and for many others who sought his counsel.”

Diaz’s relatives were unavailable for comment.