Janet Austin joined Sessions in 2026, having previously practiced with a New Orleans boutique family law firm. Janet represents clients in custody, divorce, filiation, and community property matters, bringing to each case a depth of experience in complex family law litigation.

Janet’s practice is grounded in both judicial and clinical experience. After an externship at the Civil District Court for Orleans Parish, she returned to the court as a Law Clerk in its domestic section following her graduation from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. While earning her Juris Doctor, Janet served as a Children’s Rights Student Practitioner in the law school’s clinic, where she co-authored a writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court and represented children in cases involving custody, filiation, special immigrant juvenile actions, and successions.

Janet also brings a strong background in domestic violence law, having clerked with Southeast Louisiana Legal Services’ Family Law Domestic Violence Unit and, prior to law school, staffed the Louisiana Domestic Violence Hotline.

During law school, Janet graduated with a Dean’s Scholarship, was named a Gillis Long Fellow, and competed on Loyola’s Mediation Team. She earned her B.A. in U.S. and Legal History from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York.

Janet is a member of the American Bar Association, the Louisiana State Bar Association, New Orleans Women Lawyers, the New Orleans Bar Association, the Jefferson Parish Bar Association, and the St. Thomas More Inn of Court. She remains active in pro bono work and community volunteering.