Biography
Frank X. Neuner, Jr. is a founder and the managing partner of NeunerPate, a local corporate defense firm. Neuner has shown an unwavering commitment to leadership and service to his community and profession. As a past chairman of One Acadiana, he led the charge to grow the Acadiana region's business climate which in turn created economic opportunities for all. He also served as chairman of the board of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, president of United Way of Acadiana, the Lafayette Bar Association, and the Lafayette Bar Foundation and continues to remain involved in these organizations. Through his example and encouragement, NeunerPate has developed a culture of dedication to community service and providing pro bono legal services and NeunerPate was awarded the State Bar Association's Pro Bono Publico Award in 2017.
Neuner's leadership roles and volunteerism extend beyond Acadiana to the state, national, and international stage. As President of the Louisiana Client Assistance Foundation since 2001, he oversees reimbursement of funds to clients who lose money due to lawyer misconduct. To date, almost $2.5 million has been paid to claimants. He served as president of the Louisiana State Bar Association in 2005 and 2006 during the tumultuous Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In 2013, Neuner was invited to present at The World Justice Forum in the Hague, Netherlands and share his experience in restoring the legal system after a natural disaster. During his six-year tenure as Chair of the Louisiana Public Defender Board, he spearheaded the drive for legislation to provide legal protection and access to justice for the indigent defendants.
Neuner received a Juris Doctor in 1976 from Louisiana State University. In 2008, he was named the LSU Law School's Distinguished Alumnus, and in 2013, he was honored as the Louisiana Bar Foundation's Distinguished Lawyer. In April of 2018 Neuner was awarded the ABA Solo and Small Firm Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a member of Louisiana, Texas and American Bar Associations; the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel; the Defense Research Institute; the
Maritime Law Association of the United States; and the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel. He is also a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers and of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, serves as the ABA State Delegate for Louisiana and as Chair of the ABA Client Protection Committee. He has been married to Tracy Owens Neuner for forty-eight years, and they have four children and four grandchildren.