Jason Bonaventure
Associate
In one way or another, the law has been a part of Jason’s entire adult life. To finance his way through college and law school, at 18, Jason served his home parish, Pointe Coupee, as a deputy sheriff, working weekend nights and attending school during the week. After graduating seventh in his law school class in 1998, Jason accepted two prestigious federal clerkships in Baton Rouge. Thereafter, in 2000, eager to begin practicing law, Jason associated with a regional construction law firm that would turn into a vocation for the next twenty years. In 2002, Jason decided to diversify his practice and joined a distinguished boutique Baton Rouge defense firm, where he would not only sharpen his construction law skills but expanded his expertise into business and employment law. In 2006, after the State of Louisiana began recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina and Rita, Jason was appointed Deputy General Counsel for Louisiana’s Division of Administration. During the next six years, Jason served as lead counsel for the State Office of Facility Planning and Control and was instrumental in drafting public works law, negotiating business and property transactions, and litigating significant cases involving government administration, construction, employment, and a plethora of other areas. As the major recovery work subsided, Jason, in 2012, decided the time was right for him to transition back into private practice and launched Bonaventure Law Firm, specializing in construction and business law. Then, in 2016, when one of his clients, a small civil construction firm, began to grow rapidly, Jason was asked to join the company as its Chief Operations Officer. With his legal background, Jason was able to navigate the pitfalls of rapid growth, leading the company to a prosperous future and avoiding threats of litigation. During this time “in-house”, Jason was able to gained unique insight into the construction world that many legal practitioners do not have. Armed with this practical insight, Jason made the decision to re-launched Bonaventure Law Firm, LLC. Realizing that there is strength in numbers and that greater success can be reached by aligning yourself with others that share your values and goals, Jason joined Laperouse in 2023.
Jason has exceptional, first-hand industry insight and proven experience to guide clients through all aspects of the construction process and construction claims. In his career, he has represented international construction firms, architects, engineers, public entities, insurance companies, railroads, and developers. He has also represented small subcontractors and homeowners. Jason has helped negotiate some of the state’s biggest construction projects as well as helped smaller clients protect themselves from adverse contracts or claims. He has ligated complex multi-party claims as well as represented clients in front of administrative tribunals. He has assisted in writing laws and policy pertaining to the Louisiana construction industry as well as made case law in the courtroom.
Today, Jason is recognized by Martindale Hubble, the leading attorney rating system in the US, as having an AV rating, the highest possible rating, which demonstrates the strongest legal ability and highest ethical standards in his practice areas. Throughout his career, Jason’s has provided leadership in his profession, including serving as committee chair for the Baton Rouge Bar Association and teaching various continuing education courses to his fellow attorneys, law students, and industry trade groups. Jason’s leadership is not reserved to his vocation, as much of his free time is given back to the community as the president of his local Rotary, board members on local non-profits, an adult leader in Boy Scouts of America, and ministry leader at his church.