Dan Claitor
Partner
A Baton Rouge native, former Senator Dan Claitor was educated in Louisiana’s public school system and has built a respected legal and public service career rooted in the state he calls home. He earned a degree in finance from LSU in 1983 and a Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 1987.
A seasoned attorney with more than 35 years of courtroom experience, Dan began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Orleans Parish, where he prosecuted thousands of cases ranging from child support to homicide. In recognition of his excellence, he received the Charles C. Foti, Jr. Award for Excellence in Criminal Justice in 1987 for his defense in a manslaughter jury trial.
Since entering private practice in 1990, Dan has successfully managed his own law firm, trying more than 100 jury trials across admiralty, civil, and criminal law. He remains actively involved in the legal community through his work with the Baton Rouge Bar Association’s Law Day Committee.
In 2009, Dan was elected by the voters of Senate District 16 to fill the seat vacated by then-Representative Bill Cassidy. He served with distinction for the constitutionally allowed three consecutive terms until 2020.
During his time in the Louisiana Senate, Dan held key leadership roles and contributed to shaping major policy decisions. He served on the Health & Welfare Committee for seven years (2012–2019), played a vital role in the Senate & Governmental Affairs Committee during the 2011 reapportionment session, and was an active member of the Senate Finance Committee and the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget (2009–2015). From 2016 to 2019, he chaired Judiciary C and previously served as Vice Chair of Judiciary A (2012–2015).
Today, Dan brings his wealth of legal expertise, legislative insight, and strategic perspective to Claitor Chabert, helping clients navigate the intersection of law, policy, and politics in Louisiana.
Having helped define an era of Louisiana history from a governmental capacity, Dan and Norby were still passionate about political endeavors when their Senate terms expired in 2020. Together they created Claitor Chabert, a full-service political consulting firm, where they utilize their combined knowledge and experience to continue serving the people of Louisiana.
Committee Assignments
2009 – 2011 Judiciary A
2012 – 2015 Judiciary A (Vice-Chair)
2009 – 2011 Senate Finance (Interim)
2012 – 2015 Senate Finance – Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget
2012 – 2019 Health & Welfare
2009 – 2011 Retirement and then Rev & Fisc
2009 – 2011 Senate and Governmental Affairs
2009 – 2011 Local and Municipal and then Natural Resources
2012 – 2015 Education
2016 – 2019 Judiciary C Chair
In addition to his service on those standing and statutory committees, Dan served on the following select committees:
- Judicial Compensation Committee
- Louisiana Bicentennial Committee
Dan also served on the following appointed boards and commissions as the appointee of the Senate:
- Southern States Energy Board
- Revenue Study Commission
- Justice Reinvestment Commission
- The Energy Council
- Judiciary Council
- Louisiana Law Institute
