Leon T. Roché, II is a native of the Westbank of New Orleans, and a highly respected criminal defense attorney. 

Leon graduated from St. Augustine High School in 2000. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University (LSU) in political science and his Juris Doctorate from Loyola University, College of Law. 

Leon was baptized by the late renowned pastor, Rev. Noily Paul Jr., a man who played an important role as not only Leon’s pastor but also as a father figure and mentor. Leon is still an active member of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

From a family of small business owners, Leon’s father, Leon T. Roché Sr., owned and operated the Westbank Paper and Janitorial Supply company along with his uncle Carol Roché for over 30 years. Leon is an active member of his community, and past participant in teen court. In 1999, he was part of the indoor track state champions at St. Augustine H.S. In 2002, he was inducted into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Theta Kappa Chapter) and is a lifetime member.  

Prior to completing law school, Leon worked as a substitute elementary school teacher. While a law student, Leon worked as an intern in the legal research and writing department at of the Jefferson Parish DA’s Office under Attorney Terry Boudreaux. He also completed an internship with AmeriCorps’ Legal Aid Clinic in Monroe, Louisiana, providing legal services to citizens who could not afford to pay for representation.

In 2007, Leon litigated his first case in a courtroom as a student attorney in the Criminal Defense Clinic at Loyola College of Law – a case which he won his first jury trial before the Honorable Judge Benedict Willard. 

After being sworn in as a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, Leon was hired as a staff investigator for the Orleans Public Defenders Office. He completed criminal defense training at the former Southern Public Defender Training Center, now Gideon’s Promise, under Attorney John Rapping.

From 2009 to 2022, Leon practiced law as a staff attorney at the Orleans Public Defenders Office. Leon currently owns and operates the Leon T. Roché II Law Firm, and maintains an active law practice in Orleans and other parishes throughout the state. For the majority of his career, Leon has worked solely at the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court – known as Tulane and Broad. He successfully represented clients in various criminal defense matters, from misdemeanors to 2nd-degree murder – representing over a thousand citizens and conducted over one hundred trials.  Leon often says he “fights like a lion” for every client, and he takes great honor in giving a voice to those who often times feel like their voice is not heard.

As a part of his commitment to public service, Leon has served as a guest speaker at public and private schools and colleges; speaking to the next generation about professionalism and our criminal justice system.  He has mentored numerous law students and young lawyers. He was a coach in the 2018 Allen Ray Bolin Trial Advocacy Workshop competition, a competition established by former Judge Arthur Hunter to teach high school students how to practice law. He, along with the other teachers for his school, lead, his team (St. Augustine) to a first place win. 

Leon Roché is a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, AmeriCorps, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and the Association of Saint Augustine Alumni – New Orleans.

Leon has dedicated his life to serving the community and fighting for justice as a public defender for the past thirteen years. He believes that everyone, regardless of income, has the right to a professional, zealous and effective lawyer. As a judge, he will continue to defend the constitutional rights of the accused, as well as the rights for the victims and victim’s families.  He will bring integrity, justice, and efficiency to the bench, as well as the respect and decency that every citizen deserves. 

In addition, Roché will seek alternatives to incarceration for people suffering from mental illness, drug addiction, or veteran status; where possible. Mr. Roché is dedicated to helping those citizens that need help, with resources available to the court but he will also hold citizens accountable for their actions, especially those who commit crimes of violence. He is dedicated to helping the people of New Orleans and to providing the community with the justice we deserve.