Tracie L. Washington

Tracie Leigh Washington, Esq., Ph.D., is a visionary civil rights attorney, influential public policy strategist, and passionate advocate whose leadership has been instrumental in advancing social justice, equity, and systemic reform across the nation. A proud daughter of New Orleans, Tracie’s exceptional academic journey encompasses degrees from Carleton College (B.A., Political Science), Drake University (MPA), the University of Texas School of Law (JD), the University of New Orleans (MBA), and Southern University and A&M College (Ph.D., Public Policy)—reflecting her relentless pursuit of knowledge, strategic thought, and public service excellence.

Over three decades, Tracie has built a robust and nationally celebrated general civil practice, focusing on civil rights, education law (traditional & charter K–12, and HigherEd), and labor and employment law. Following the devastating impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Tracie’s advocacy expanded significantly as she took on monumental legal battles with the Louisiana Justice Institute (LJI), a nonprofit human rights organization and law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of marginalized communities.

Among her most significant litigation achievements, Tracie successfully served as counsel in landmark cases impacting thousands of New Orleanians. Her groundbreaking efforts include Kirk v. City of New Orleans and Mayor Ray Nagin, a pivotal 14th Amendment constitutional case ensuring homeowners’ rights against unjust demolitions; Lott v. Orleans Parish School Board, safeguarding educational access and enrollment rights for displaced students; and ACORN et al. v. Kathleen Blanco, a historic voting-rights case reaffirming New Orleans evacuees’ rights to equal franchise under the Voting Rights Act and U.S. Constitution. Tracie was also instrumental in leading the landmark class-action suit LeBlanc et al. v. Thomas, compelling the reopening of Charity Hospital, a lifeline for underserved residents in the New Orleans region. Further cementing her place as a fierce advocate for justice, she served as co-counsel in the nationally recognized human trafficking case David et al. v. Signal International, and most recently, alongside the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the National ACLU, litigated the historic redistricting case NAACP v. Ardoin (Robinson v. Ardoin)—successfully securing a groundbreaking injunction and victory in the U.S. Supreme Court, creating two majority-Black congressional districts in Louisiana.

Tracie’s extraordinary contributions have garnered widespread recognition and honors. Her distinctions include prestigious fellowships at the United States–Southern African Center for Leadership and Public Values at Duke University and Southern University (led by Ambassador James Joseph), the Loyola University Institute of Politics, and the American Arbitration Association’s acclaimed Higginbotham Fellowship. She is also a proud alumna of the Higher Education Leadership Foundation’s Leadership Institute (Gamma Cohort, June 2016). Celebrated for her tireless advocacy, she earned the Carleton College Distinguished Achievement Award at her 30th reunion, was named Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Public Justice Foundation, and received acclaim as one of MSNBC’s TheGrio’s “100 History Makers in the Making” and among “Twenty Leading Black Women Advocating Change” by The Root, edited by esteemed scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. Her dynamic presence and advocacy have been documented prominently, notably in Spike Lee’s acclaimed documentary If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise, and through featured appearances on national media including The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC) and PBS NewsHour.

A dedicated servant-leader deeply involved in her local community, Tracie’s civic commitments include membership in the Junior League of New Orleans, serving on the Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church, and proudly affiliating with the Omicron Nu Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Tracie finds profound joy and grounding as the proud mother of one remarkable son and three beloved grandchildren. An accomplished baker and culinary enthusiast, she passionately believes that all things delightful begin with high-fat butter—a belief exemplified through her specialty-order bakery, NolaGoodies, Inc. Her “happy places” include her recently renovated kitchen, vibrant outdoor grills, beloved smoker and pizza oven, and New Orleans’ renowned live jazz clubs, where she celebrates her beloved city’s culture and spirit.