Talya J. Bergeron

 Southeast Louisiana Legal Services

BRBA: Tell us about your education.  

I received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Louisiana State University.  After graduating from college, I received a Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center.  


BRBA: Where are you from? 

I am originally from Hammond, Louisiana.  However, I moved to New Roads, Louisiana at the age of fifteen.  Therefore, I identify  as being from both places.  


BRBA: Where and what type of law do you practice? 

Since I became a licensed attorney, I have practiced primarily Family Law.  I have litigated cases in Tangipahoa, Washington, St. Tammany, Livingston, East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, Ascension, St. John, East Feliciana and West Feliciana parishes.  


BRBA: Why did you want to become an attorney? 

The reason I became an attorney was my desire to help people.  As a child, I witnessed family members being abused by other family members.  Also, some of my childhood friends suffered abuse from their parents and other adults.  I wanted to work as an attorney to protect the rights of survivors of abuse.  


BRBA: If you were not practicing law, what would be your alternate profession?  

If I were not an attorney, I would be a Librarian.  While a student at LSU, I worked at the Middleton Library in the Serials Department.  I thoroughly enjoyed working there.  As a child, my mother would take me to the library every day after school.  This developed my love for reading books.  


BRBA: What is one thing you wish you would have known before you went to law school? 

I wish I would have known that practicing family law involves a substantial amount of counseling.  If I had known that prior to going to law school, I would have majored in Psychology or Social Work.  


BRBA: Are you involved with the BRBA? If so, how?

I am involved in the Pro Bono Committee, the Law Day Committee and the Volunteer Committee of the Baton Rouge Bar Association.  


BRBA: What motivated you to become involved with the BRBA? 

Once I became a licensed attorney, I became involved with the Baton Rouge Bar Association.  I met Lynn Haynes, who convinced me to accept cases on a Pro Bono basis.  Handling cases on a pro bono basis helped me developed my skills as an attorney.  


BRBA: What is your favorite BRBA activity or event? 

My favorite BRBA activity is Belly Up.  I love to see the costumes that the different teams wear and tastes the various dishes.  It is really a fun event.  I look forward to participating in Belly Up every year.  


BRBA: Are you involved with any other organizations or causes?  

I have served as the president of the Southeast Advocates for Empowerment (SAFE), an organization that assists survivors of domestic abuse.  I have also served as the First Vice-President of the Greater Baton Rouge Chapter of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society.  


BRBA: What is the best piece of advice you have received? 

The best advice that I have received was from a friend who would always close her communications with the following quote, “No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells it all.  Integrity is everything.”  


BRBA: What are your leisure activities? 

In my spare time, I like to engage in different craft projects such as making jewelry and making wreaths.  


BRBA: What is the last book that you read? 

The last book I read was “The Last Black Unicorn”.  It is the autobiography of the comedian Tiffany Haddish.  This book tells the story of her abusive youth and her life in the foster care system.  


BRBA: Tell us something interesting about yourself. 

I like to meet people from different cultures.  As I student at LSU, I met people from all over the world.  It is exciting to learn about other cultures.  I also like to watch international movies.