Deborah Villio was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, October 9, 1961. She lives in Kenner, Louisiana, and is a life-long resident of Jefferson Parish.
Ms. Villio has a strong legal background in government work and litigation, including both the criminal justice system and code enforcement. She began her career as a prosecutor in Orleans Parish in 1988 and spent the following 10 years prosecuting as an Assistant District Attorney in Orleans, St. Tammany and Jefferson Parishes. As a prosecutor she successfully tried more than 200 felony jury trials and was recognized by Victims and Citizens Against Crime as Outstanding Prosecutor. Ms. Villio also served as Criminal Justice Director for Jefferson Parish from 1999 to 2007 where she directed all criminal justice operations in Jefferson Parish (both adult and juvenile). During that time she served as the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Planning and Action Commission’s District Manager, was chairperson of the Jefferson Parish Children and Youth Planning Board, chairperson of the Jefferson Parish Truancy Assessment Center Advisory Board, and a member of the Jefferson Parish Drug Court Advisory Board. Ms. Villio was also appointed by the Jefferson Parish Council as the chairperson of its Crime Prevention and Reduction Task Force.
Ms. Villio’s governmental work has also included her leadership in the regulatory division having served for two years as Director of Code Enforcement in Jefferson Parish from 2008-2010. She was responsible for both the regulatory and property maintenance divisions, overseeing the issuance of permits for all new commercial and residential construction in Jefferson Parish, as well as all commercial and residential renovations and the enforcement of zoning and use ordinances.
In addition to her role in governmental activities, Ms. Villio is known for her civic and community involvement. She has served on the board of Children’s Bureau, a local non-profit organization that helps needy children throughout the metropolitan area who are witnesses to or victims of violent crime, and serves on the President’s Council of Archbishop Chapelle High School. She also serves on the Jefferson EDGE 2020 Fat City Redevelopment committee and throughout her career has conducted law enforcement training in the law for local police academy classes.
In 2000, Ms. Villio was honored by Victims and Citizens Against Crime for her outstanding service, and in 2001 by the Bureau of Governmental Research with its Excellence in Government Award. In 2002 she was recognized by CityBusiness as one of its “Women of the Year.Education:
- B.A. University of New Orleans 1985
- J.D. Loyola University School of Law 1988
Addmitted to Practice:
- State Bar of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
Membership:
- Louisiana State Bar Association
- Jefferson Bar Association
- New Orleans Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
Contact Ms. Villio at dvillio@leblancbutler.com