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Lourdes Letona guides the Hispanic community with grace, wisdom, and a strong conviction that everyone in this country can achieve their goals. Originally from Guatemala, the “land of eternal spring”, she carries with her an admiration for the rich history of the Maya civilization and a deep love for her roots. Raised in a home grounded in faith in God and the family as the fundamental foundation of society, Letona has turned those values into the driving force behind her leadership in Louisiana.
Her story in New Orleans began in the 1980s, when she came to study at Louisiana State University (LSU) during a time when Spanish was rarely heard and integration required great courage. Over the years, she witnessed the remarkable transformation of the region, especially after Hurricane Katrina, when thousands of Hispanics arrived to work and rebuild the city, making it their permanent home.
Since 2002, she has served as administrative manager at the law firm Romi González & Associates. Alongside Romi González, one of the city's pioneer Hispanic attorneys, she has dedicated more than two decades to defending and guiding our community.
For Letona, the office is much more than a law firm: it is a welcoming space where Latino families are understood in their own language and reality. As she rightly states: “We are not just a legal office that speaks the language, but one that understands the culture.” Her philosophy promotes integration with pride: learning the English language and respecting local laws, without ever losing dignity or the value of our Hispanic heritage.
When reflecting on the younger generations, she urges youth to overcome doubt and self-discrimination. “We Hispanics are just as capable as anyone else… We first have to value ourselves so that other communities value us,” she expresses with conviction.
Lourdes Letona embodies the essence of “Nuestra Gente”: a living testimony of faith, hard work, and compassionate leadership that elevates the Hispanic community of New Orleans.
