About Ghetti Law

In 1991, Michelle received an offer to teach at Southern University Law Center, fulfilling a goal she had held since law school. During her 28-year academic career, Professor Ghetti taught at Southern University Law Center, Georgetown Law School, American University’s Washington College of Law, and in London, England. She taught evidence and procedure throughout her academic career and also taught family law, criminal law, ethics, contracts, and law and religion—each for at least five years.

 

In addition to teaching, Professor Ghetti published law review articles in these areas and contributed a chapter on eyewitness evidence to an international book. For more than a dozen years, she also taught a biannual seminar on criminal procedure and evidence at the Louisiana Judicial College. Working with the Judicial College and the Louisiana District Judges Association, she helped author and edit the Judicial Benchbook for Capital Trials and the Best Practices in Criminal Trials Benchbook.

 

Throughout this period, Professor Ghetti continued speaking to legal and community organizations on a wide range of topics while maintaining a part-time law practice. She also provided pro bono counsel in numerous unique matters involving issues ranging from commercial and family law to criminal defense and prosecution.

 

In 1994, Professor Ghetti began advocating for changes to Louisiana law and helped write one of the state’s earliest sets of domestic-violence laws. At approximately the same time, she began serving on the Louisiana State Law Institute’s Criminal Law, Evidence, and Procedure Committee. In that role, she helped draft two chapters of the Louisiana Code of Evidence and, for more than 30 years, contributed to the study, debate, and legislative development of numerous laws within the committee’s jurisdiction.

 

During those years, she also served as a legislative consultant to many organizations, including the Louisiana District Judges Association, LDAA, LACDL, several public-policy groups, multiple religious organizations, and numerous individuals. She worked closely with legislators to develop statutory language and testify regarding more than 50 laws.

 

In 2018, then-Louisiana Solicitor General—and now Attorney General—Liz Murrill invited Professor Ghetti to join Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office as Deputy Solicitor General. On her first day, she was assigned to prepare an amicus brief on behalf of 13 states. The brief argued to the United States Supreme Court that, when a criminal defendant signs an appeal waiver as part of a plea agreement, appellate counsel does not provide ineffective assistance by declining to file an appeal.

 

That assignment began three years of collaboration with prosecutors and outside counsel throughout Louisiana—and, at times, across the country. During that period, she helped draft and file more than 30 briefs with the United States Supreme Court and dozens of briefs with Louisiana appellate courts. She also presented arguments before Louisiana appellate courts and sat second chair before the United States Supreme Court.

 

In 2021, after moving to Austin to be closer to her grandchildren, Michelle began working for the Texas Attorney General as Special Counsel for Legal Strategy and for the General Counsel. In those roles, she participated in more than 24 lawsuits against the Biden administration involving matters ranging from COVID-19 lockdowns to immigration concerning Central American minors. She also reviewed contracts between the State of Texas and commercial entities and individuals, analyzed legislation affecting the Attorney General’s Office, reviewed and edited attorney general opinions, counseled on ethical issues arising within the agency, and advised on numerous issues affecting governmental entities throughout Texas.

 

In 2023, Michelle returned to Louisiana and chose Lafayette as her permanent home. A direct descendant of the Acadians—her family name is Derouen—she was drawn to the region by her heritage and by the remarkable growth and positive development of Lafayette and its surrounding communities. Her roots, together with the perspective gained over a lifetime, brought her home to Acadiana—a decision she has never regretted.

 

Michelle is an active member of the Lafayette Bar Association, the Acadiana Inn of Court, and Fleur de Lis Republican Women. She is admitted to practice in all state courts in Louisiana and Texas, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and various federal district courts in Louisiana and Texas.

 

Her past service includes membership on the boards of Crimefighters, Inc., the Iris Domestic Violence Center, and the Pennington YMCA. She is also a former member of the United States Commission on Civil Rights’ Louisiana State Advisory Committee and the Louisiana Indigent Defense Assistance Board.

 

Michelle is the proud mother of three children, the grandmother of two grandchildren (and three granddogs). She attends The Bayou Church and St. Pius Catholic Church.

​