de la Parte & Gilbert, P.A., Tampa, Florida

Lou de la Parte is a truly legendary figure in Florida law and Florida politics.

He was a distinguished public servant – a prosecutor, Special Assistant Attorney General, Assistant State Attorney, and a member of the House of Representatives who would go on to be President of the Florida Senate and Chairman of the powerful Committees on Appropriations and Ways and Means.

Firm Founder

Retired

Education:
Emory University, B.A., 1950
University of Florida, LL.B., 1953
University of Florida, J.D. 1967

As a Florida lawmaker, Lou spearheaded balanced budgets, and fought for laws that brought health care to impoverished seniors, education to retarded children, help to kids in trouble and homestead tax exemptions to struggling families. As an environmental champion, his ground-breaking water management legislation is a lasting legacy.

Bar admissions:
The Florida Bar – 1953
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida – 1956
U.S. Supreme Court – 1966
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth District – 1976
U.S. District Court, District of Columbia – 1979
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit - 1981

Representative community involvement:
Florida Supreme Court Commission on Racial and Ethnic Bias
Governor’s Social Service Task Force
Governor’s Commission for Government by the People

Representative professional affiliations:
Florida House of Representatives, 1962 –   1966
Florida Senate, 1966 – 1974
Florida Senate, President Pro Tempore,   1972 – 1974
Florida Senate, President, 1974
Special Assistant Attorney General, State   of Florida, 1953
Assistant County Solicitor, Hillsborough   County, 1957-1960
Assistant State Attorney, Thirteenth   Judicial Circuit, 1960 - 1961