NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Attorney Joe Giarrusso III announced Monday (Nov. 11) that he plans to join the New Orleans law firm Phelps Dunbar in January and will drop a bid for an at-large seat to remain on the city council after next year. .

Giarrusso said he will complete his second term in the District A seat — representing parts of Uptown New Orleans, Lakeview, Carrollton, Hollygrove and Mid-City — which will run through early January 2026. Giarrusso also chairs the council’s budget committee.

“Not running is the hardest professional decision I’ve had to make,” Giarrusso posted to X.

Term-limited in the Ward A seat, Giarrusso’s way to stay on the council beyond 2025 would be to run for and win the at-large seat vacated by council President Helena Moreno. Moreno is also term-limited, but has filed papers declaring his candidacy for the 2025 mayoral race.

Phelps Dunbar said in a press release that Giarrusso will be the newest member of its government relations and public policy team, which serves clients in the Gulf South region, “guiding businesses through economic development initiatives and directing projects across the landscape of multilayer regulation”.

The firm said: “Giarusso’s knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes will help clients overcome compliance challenges.”

Giarrusso said, “I am proud of my work for the city’s residents as a public servant on the New Orleans City Council, and I am equally excited to share my experience in this role to expand the firm’s government relations practice outside of New Orleans . Phelps is a deeply respected firm with both a rich history in Louisiana and an innovative, forward-looking approach to client service. All of this drew me to Phelps as a return to my law firm roots in a new role.”

Giarrusso joins Phelps Dunbar from his solo practice. State ethics rules will bar Giarrusso from conducting city-level government relations work involving the city of New Orleans for two years.

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