Kitchens Law Firm is celebrating a century of legal service this year, marking 100 years of continuous family ownership in Webster Parish.
Founded in 1926 by Graydon Kitchens Sr., the firm has remained in the Kitchens family for four generations. Today, Managing Partner Graydon Kitchens III works alongside his uncle, Paul Kitchens, continuing a legacy that spans nearly a century of law practice in Minden.
Graydon Kitchens Sr., often referred to as “Col. Kitchens,” practiced law for more than 50 years after growing up in southern Arkansas and La Salle Parish.
“He grew up in the saw mills, and then he was the first one to go to LSU and LSU Law School,” said Graydon Kitchens III.
The nickname “Col. Kitchens” dates back to his grandfather’s college days.
“When he was a Sigma Chi, he would make the pledges call him ‘Col. Kitchens,’” said Gray. “To this day, people call him Col. Kitchens,” added Paul.
The founder’s son, Graydon Kitchens Jr., also practiced law for more than 50 years and served as a judge. Paul Kitchens, who recently turned 80, has practiced for more than five decades and remains active with the firm. Graydon Kitchens III is in his 36th year of practice.
The firm originally operated on Pearl Street before relocating to its current location in the 1970s.
Over the decades, the practice of law has evolved significantly, particularly with advances in technology. Everything used to be typed or handwritten. Files were organized with a card catalog. Law books were printed.
Today, the firm employs three attorneys and six support staff members. Three staff members have been with the firm for 16, 20 and 25 years, respectively.
“We are nothing without our staff. We have wonderful staff. We are who we are because of our staff first,” Gray said.
That commitment has extended beyond the office. After a tornado destroyed one staff member’s home, the firm represented her pro bono in a dispute with her insurance agency.
The firm provides a broad range of legal services, including personal injury, insurance defense, real estate loan closings, estate planning and successions, some criminal defense and family law.
“We have a broad practice; we litigate, we do transactional work, we do adoptions. We’d much rather bring families together than do divorces,” Gray said.
Kitchens Law Firm has also played a role in Louisiana’s political and judicial landscape. Former Gov. Bob Kennon was once a partner. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson also practiced with the firm.
“I hired Mike in 2013, and we still are good friends. He worked here for three years. He launched his political campaign while working here when he first ran for state representative,” Gray said.
Johnson resigned from the firm after being elected to Congress due to rules prohibiting members from practicing law.
Five former partners have gone on to serve as judges, including Gray’s father, along with Bruce Bolin, Rick Warren, Enos McClendon, and Cecil Lowe.
Family and tradition remain central to the firm’s identity. The Kitchens family has longstanding ties to Louisiana State University. Graydon Sr. was one of three male cheerleaders at LSU in the 1920s and a charter member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from LSU. Graydon Jr. pitched on the LSU baseball team, and Paul Kitchens also attended LSU for undergraduate and law school before serving in the JAG Corps.
Gray began his college career at LSU before transferring to Baylor University and later earning his law degree from the University of Mississippi.
“My granddad didn’t talk to me for two months, literally,” Gray said with a laugh. “We’re big LSU fans.”
The family’s loyalty is visible in a 1993 GMC Sonoma purchased by Gray’s father and painted in LSU colors when the Tigers began winning football national championships in 2003. The truck, painted by James Kemp, has been updated to reflect additional championships.
Only two law firms in Louisiana have maintained 100 years of family-owned continuity: Kitchens Law Firm and Bethard Law Firm in Coushatta.
Reaching the centennial milestone carries special meaning for the firm.
“First, that’s an indication of God’s blessings to us. Secondly, it would show that we have apparently done something in the legal community to have justified people knocking on our doors for a hundred years. We feel like we have performed a lot of good services that have helped a lot of folk. To us the community is important. If we have benefited folks in their time of need, well then, that’s what we’ve been here for,” Paul said.
The firm plans to host a 100-year celebration in late spring, featuring a small presentation and a come-and-go reception.
“We’d like to invite clients and friends and members of the community to come celebrate with us,” Gray said.
Community involvement remains a priority. The firm recently donated $20,000 to the Joe LeBlanc Food Pantry and closed its office so attorneys and staff could volunteer.
“Last year we closed the office, and we all went down to the food pantry and stuffed bags. We’re engaged, and we’re going to do it again this year,” Gray said.
“That’s our Kingdom Ministry idea for 2026 and our vision for helping Minden and the community of Webster Parish,” he said.
“We love the City of Minden, we love Webster Parish and the community, and we’re devoted to that group of people,” Gray added.
For young attorneys hoping to build a lasting career, Gray offered simple advice.
“Be prepared for hard work. There’s no substitute for putting the hours in and working hard. Be kind to people … most of the people who come to a law firm have a problem … being kind and helping people work through their problems goes a long way.”
Looking back over the past century, Paul described the experience as both meaningful and rewarding.
“It’s been a joyful experience and we’ve had a lot of fun and, I hope, helped some folks,” he said.
