About Donnie O'Pry
Growing up
Donovan “Donnie” Jay O'Pry II was born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana. His father, Donovan O'Pry, worked for 35 years as an elementary educator in the Lafayette Parish School system, serving as an assistant principal and teacher at Lafayette Middle School, and then finishing his career at Acadian Middle School. Donnie's mother, Karen O'Pry, worked for the Department of Social Security in Opelousas with 35 years of service. Donnie attended St. Leo Seton Elementary and then graduated from Carencro High School in 1995. While at Carencro High School, Donnie was a member of the 1992 State Championship football team and was nationally ranked in speech and debate.
Education
Donnie attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on a full academic scholarship. While attending LSU, Donnie won LSU's annual public speaking contest as a sophomore. Donnie received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science in 1999. After graduating, he enrolled at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. While in law school, Donnie was chosen to serve as a member of the Moot Court Board, and also represented LSU at the Association of Trial Lawyers of America's National Mock Trial Competition in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Donnie graduated with a Juris Doctor from LSU Law School in 2002 and was admitted to the Bar that same year.
Work Career
Donnie began his legal career as an associate with the Lafayette firm of Jeansonne & Remondet. Donnie's practice was primarily in the fields of workers' compensation defense and automotive and premises liability. In 2007, Donnie became a partner at Jeansonne & Remondet, where he served in that capacity until opening the O'Pry Law Firm in 2014. On March 1, 2014, Donnie opened the O'Pry Law Firm. The firm's mission is to treat all of our clients as if they are a member of our family.
Professional Affiliations and Recognition
Donnie has been nationally recognized in the field of personal injury with special emphasis on catastrophic automobile accidents and on the job injuries. He has been repeatedly rated as one of the Top Lawyers in both Acadiana and Louisiana by multiple publications including the Times Picayune, American Lawyer Media and Acadiana Profile Magazine. Donnie holds the highest rating of "AV Preeminent" awarded by Martindale-Hubble®, the most widely recognized and respected lawyer peer review service in the nation. In addition, Donnie has achieved a perfect 10.0 rating on Avvo.com, one of the most widely used lawyer rating services in the country. He has been inducted as a life time member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an elite group of attorneys who have achieved multi-million dollar verdicts or settlements for their clients. Starting in 2020, Donnie was selected to Superlawyers' list of top Louisiana attorneys and has been re-selected to the list every year since then. Donnie was also named to the "Top 10 Attorney List" for the State of Louisiana by both the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys and Attorney and Practice Magazine.
Donnie is a member of the Lafayette Bar Association and served as a Director on its Board of Directors from 2013 - 2020. Donnie also served as President of the Lafayette Bar Association in 2018. He is also a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and has served as a representative of the 15th Judicial District in the LSBA House of Delegates since 2012. Donnie is licensed to practice law before all Louisiana State Courts, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and all United States District Courts in Louisiana.
Family
Donnie is married to Stephanie Hulin O'Pry and they have five children. Stephanie is originally from Loreauville and graduated from the University of Louisiana in 2002. Donnie and Stephanie are very active in their church, community, and children's school. Donnie serves on the Board of Directors of the Ragin' Cajun Athletic Foundation (RCAF) which helps support athletics at the University of Louisiana. Their entire family loves attending sporting events, socializing with their friends, and spending time on the water at their camp in False River.
Meet The Team
Ben Minyard - Personal Injury Attorney
Ben Minyard is a life-long resident of Opelousas, Louisiana. He graduated from Opelousas Catholic and went on to obtain his bachelor's degree in general studies with a focus in business administration from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. During his time at ULL, Ben was a member of the Ragin Cajun baseball team for two years. After graduation, Ben began his career in the oilfield as a salesman before deciding to become a lawyer. In 2011, Ben enrolled at the Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Upon graduation in 2014, Ben began his legal career working in defense-oriented firms. After eight years of defense practice and experience, Ben became a plaintiff's lawyer and now follows his true passion: helping people who have been injured, and who need someone to stand up to the insurance company on their behalf. Outside of his legal practice, Ben is the father of six boys, married to his wonderful wife April, and enjoys all things sports and outdoors related. This includes coaching many different sports teams, duck hunting and offshore fishing. He is also the passionate supporter of the ULL Ragin' Cajuns and the LSU Tigers.
Miles Hesterly - Personal Injury Attorney
Miles is a life-long resident of Lafayette. He attended Lafayette High School before graduating from Millsaps College. His past work experiences include working as a landman, working at the Louisiana State Capitol, working for the Louisiana State Senate, and working as an assistant soccer coach at St. Thomas More. After graduating from LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Miles earned valuable experience practicing in oil and gas law, succession law, insurance defense law, and now personal injury law. Miles' passion for helping the injured stems from observing insurance companies denying, underpaying, or delaying payment of valid claims, as well as experiencing this first-hand. Miles now passionately advocates for and represents his clients in their insurance company dealings so they avoid a similar fate. Outside of his career, Miles is the father of two boys, married to his lovely wife and college sweetheart Courtney, and enjoys spending time with his loved ones, watching and playing sports, trivia, and reading.
Glen Marcantel, Personal Injury Attorney
Glenn graduated from LSU in 1983 with a degree in Business Administration and obtained his law degree from LSU Law School in 1986. Over the years, Glenn has handled a variety of legal matters including personal injury, worker's compensation, family law, real estate, business, bankruptcy, successions, criminal and social security. He has argued before the Louisiana Third and First Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Since 2006, Glenn has been and remains an Assistant District Attorney in the 27th Judicial District and has extensive experience in selecting juries and trying serious felony matters. Glenn and his wife, Cindy, have been married for 38 years and have 7 children and 10 grandchildren (so far!). Playing music and singing have been a big part of his life and he enjoys getting his hands dirty handling cattle and horses.
Rece Martin - Personal Injury Attorney
Rece Martin joined the O'Pry Law Firm in 2021, beginning his career with the firm as a legal assistant before earning his law degree. A native of Louisiana, Rece graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Law and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center in 2025. That same year, he passed the Louisiana Bar Exam and was admitted to practice law in the state. Having worked with the firm for several years before becoming an attorney, Rece brings both experience and a hands-on understanding of the legal process to his practice. He takes pride in providing clients with dedicated, practical, and compassionate representation while maintaining the firm's commitment to personal service and strong advocacy. Outside the office, Rece enjoys spending time with family and friends, staying active, and keeping up with local sports and community events.
Emma Businelle, Office Manager/Paralegal - Auto Accidents
Emma has been with O'Pry Law Firm since 2017 and now serves as Office Manager and a key member of the Management Team. With nearly a decade of experience in personal injury law, she brings deep operational knowledge and legal expertise to the firm. She is responsible for overseeing the firm's day-to-day operations and ensuring the team functions at a high level. She plays a key leadership role in supervising staff, developing internal procedures, and training new hires to maintain consistency and efficiency across all casework. Her priority is making sure every team member has the tools, structure, and support they need to succeed. Emma is a native of Franklin, La, earned her bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and completed LSU's Paralegal Studies certificate program. Outside of work, she enjoys shopping, relaxing at home, and spending time with her husband Chase and their three children.
Britni Mouton, Paralegal - Workers' Compensation
Britni is a paralegal and Workers' Compensation Coordinator at the O'Pry Law Firm. She assists our attorneys in all phases of litigation, such as pretrial discovery, drafting of pleadings, and trial preparation. Britni received her bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and thereafter obtained her law degree at Southern University Law Center. In her free time, Britni loves traveling, organizing, arts/crafts, and painting.
Trenelle Calligan - Paralegal - Auto Accidents/Disbursal Coordinator
Lauren Valentin - Case Manager
Karina Parks - Case Manager
Mandy Hargroder - Case Manager
Candis Nevils - Case Manager
Candis Nevils was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and relocated to Lafayette in 2005 as a Hurricane Katrina evacuee. From 2007 to 2024, she dedicated nearly two decades to serving the public as a Licensed Massage Therapist. During that time, she pursued her passion for continued growth by enrolling in the University of Louisiana's Paralegal Certificate Program, which she successfully completed—ultimately paving the way for her transition into the legal field. At home, Candis and her husband, Justin, enjoy a full family life with their three teenagers and three animals. In her downtime, she can often be found reading, thrifting, or tackling new projects around the house.
Jonathon Segura - Intake Specialist
Jonathon is a recent graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he earned a degree in Criminal Justice with a Pre-Law concentration and a minor in Political Science. At the O'Pry Law Firm, he serves as an Intake Specialist, acting as a first point of contact for prospective clients. He also plays a vital role in collecting initial accident and insurance details necessary for opening new client files. In his free time, Jonathon enjoys video games, working out, swimming, and reading.
Carley Mouton - Intake Specialist
Carley is currently studying Political Science at Louisiana State University with plans to pursue law school. She previously served as our Front Desk Receptionist and now works as an Intake Specialist at the O'Pry Law Firm. In this role, she is a first point of contact for prospective personal injury clients, helping gather their information and working closely with our attorneys to ensure every case receives the care and attention it deserves. She also assists with collecting accident and insurance details and helps with opening files for new clients.
Sydnee Babineaux - Intake Specialist
Sydnee is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Political Science. She serves as an Intake Specialist at the O'Pry Law Firm, acting as a first point of contact for prospective personal injury clients. In this role, she helps gather client information, collects initial accident and insurance details, and works closely with our attorneys to ensure each case receives the care and attention it deserves. Sydnee plans to pursue law school and continue building her career in the legal field.
Brittany Theriot - Front Desk/Client Services Specialist
Brittany is from Houma, Louisiana, and now resides in Maurice. She graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2024 and is currently pursuing her law degree at Southern University Law Center. At the O'Pry Law Firm, Brittany serves as our Front Desk and Client Services Specialist where her role is assisting clients by answering questions, directing calls, and managing incoming and outgoing mail and packages. Passionate about client care, Brittany is committed to ensuring every person feels supported from their very first interaction with the firm. Outside of work and school, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Diyaana Motan - Legal Assistant
Diyaana was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. After getting married, she moved to Durban, South Africa where she currently works remotely. Diyaana helps coordinate and schedule medical appointments for clients and manage their medical records. Diyaana enjoys dealing with different challenges and learning something new every day. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, baking, and exploring Durban.
Marisa Weatherly - Runner
Marisa is a part-time Runner at the O'Pry Law Firm, where she assists with day-to-day operations by handling errands, deliveries, and other tasks that help keep the office running smoothly. She is currently enrolled at the University of Louisiana and balances her studies with her role at the firm.
Karen O'Pry - Bookkeeper
Karen makes sure that the firm's financial data is handled accurately and timely. She performs bookkeeping and accounts receivable functions using computer programs such as QuickBooks, Amicus and Excel. Karen retired after 35 years as a claims rep and technical expert with the Social Security Administration. She is now proud to be a part of her son's law firm. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with and cooking for her family, especially her six grandchildren.
