DANA'S STORY

Dana Henry is a lifelong New Orleanian, attorney, and respected community leader who has dedicated his career to strengthening public institutions, expanding opportunity, and ensuring that government works for the people it serves. With more than two decades of experience spanning law, education advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and civic service, Dana brings a deep understanding of how policy decisions affect families and neighborhoods across New Orleans.

Dana currently serves as Senior Counsel at Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer, & Adelstein, LLP, where he advises clients on labor and employment law, insurance defense, contract negotiation, and regulatory compliance. His legal work has helped businesses, public entities, and organizations navigate complex challenges while operating responsibly and ethically. Earlier in his career, Dana maintained a civil law practice handling family law, juvenile matters, personal injury, business disputes, and estate planning. He also served as of Counsel to a litigation firm, representing clients in state and federal court and developing trial strategies to achieve positive outcomes.

Beyond his legal practice, Dana has played a central role in advancing public education and youth opportunity in New Orleans. As Vice President of Education and Youth Development at the Urban League of Louisiana, he managed a large team and oversaw early childhood, youth development, and college readiness programs serving communities across the city and region. He led the successful YES for NOLA KIDS campaign that dedicated a $22 million from a millage for low-income infants and toddlers to attend high quality early childhood education centers. 

Previously, Dana served as City Director for STAND for Children Louisiana, where he worked closely with educators, families, and elected officials to advance policies focused on accountability, equity, transparency, and access in public education. His leadership helped secure the City of New Orleans’ first dedicated funding for early childhood education and played a key role in restoring stable leadership to the public school system after an extended vacancy. Dana has also provided legal and strategic guidance to public schools and charter organizations on governance, expansion, and long-term planning for student success.

In addition to his civic leadership, Dana has been appointed Judge Pro Tempore by the Louisiana Supreme Court and has served as an administrative hearing officer for the City of New Orleans, adjudicating blighted and neglected property cases. He has also taught as an adjunct professor in paralegal studies programs and worked as a consultant on public policy and civic engagement initiatives at the national level.

Dana earned his Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center and his undergraduate degree in English and Political Science from Howard University. He is admitted to practice law in Louisiana and Texas and in multiple federal courts.

Dana is the proud father of Gabriel, a Junior at SUNO's Nursing School, and Preston, Freshman at LSU.

“My journey has taken me from classrooms to courtrooms to community meetings, but it’s always been about the same thing. Helping people and making systems work better.”

-DANA HENRY