Rebecca J. Hunter

Becky is from Lake Charles and graduated from Sam Houston High School as valedictorian. She attended Texas A&M University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and graduated with Cum Laude honors. Upon graduation in 2004, she was selected to be a White House intern in the Office of Presidential Advance. Following this, she managed the SWLA regional office for U.S. Senator David Vitter. In 2009, she graduated from Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center, where in addition to her studies, she worked as a lobbying intern at the Louisiana Legislature. Despite going into this opportunity confident she wanted to be a lobbyist, in the process, Becky recognized her passion to advocate for people eclipsed that of advancing large-scale issues. This change in perspective fuels a truism she’s learned about life, “The best things that have ever happened to me are a result of something I thought I wanted not working out.” Following graduation from law school in 2009, she worked as a law clerk for Judge Penelope Q. Richard in the 38th Judicial District Court, Cameron, Louisiana. She then joined The Sanchez Law Firm in Lake Charles where she began her practice in family law. After nine years there, she joined Hunter, Hunter, Sonnier, LLC. to further that practice and her specialization in complex divorce cases, community property partitions, highly-contested custody situations, and both step-parent and private adoptions. When asked what she loves most about family law, she reflects, “The fact I can help people on their most visceral level. You don’t get more personal than fighting for custody of someone’s kids or their retirement accounts. It’s amazing to go on that journey with clients.” Further, when it comes to adoptions, Becky adds, “I love the end result is the unification of a family. Guiding them though the process that finally, and officially, makes them a (legal) family feels like a superpower. The day an adoption is finalized feels like a birth in many ways – extended family is present the courtroom – there’s a lot of smiling, hugging, and, of course, happy tears. And you know you just witnessed a truly monumental moment. It’s a high that never gets old.” Becky is married to Nic Hunter, who serves as the mayor of Lake Charles and owns Villa Harlequin restaurant. Together, they have two children. Involvement, Service, Recognition, and Achievements Secretary, Family Law Section, SWLA Bar Association (2015 – Present) Board Member , Southwest Community Partnership Panel, LA Bar Foundation (2019 – Present) Board of Directors , SWLA Bar Foundation (2018 – Present) Treasurer, SWLA Bar Foundation (Present) “Top Lawyers in Acadiana”, Acadiana Profiles Magazine (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020) “Louisiana Rising Star”, Super Lawyers (2019, 2020) “2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch”, Family Law, Best Lawyers, (2020) President, SWLA Bar Association (2019) President-Elect, SWLA Bar Association (2018) Board Member, Young Lawyers Section, SWLA Bar Association (2013 – 2017) Treasurer, SWLA Bar Association (2017) Secretary, SWLA Bar Association (2016) Member, Criminal Justice Committee, LA Bar Association (2013 – 2015) Member, Executive Counsel Board, SWLA Bar Association, (2014, 2015) Chairman, “Holiday Helping Hands”, SWLA Bar Association (2013, 2014) “President’s Award for Outstanding Service”, SWLA Bar Association (2014) Board Member, Acadiana Legal Services Corporation (2014) Student Attorney, Louisiana Legislature (Successfully passed $41.5M state appropriation bill to create and expand federally-qualified health centers) Junior, Senior Class Vice President, Texas A&M University Judicial Chair, Zeta Tau Alpha, Texas A&M University