After Hurricane Katrina, Royce immersed himself in rebuilding his community by serving as chief of staff to former New Orleans City Councilmember James Carter. He then moved to Washington, D.C. to attend Howard University School of Law, where he founded the Howard Energy and Environmental Law Society to advocate for environmental justice. He also worked as an intern at the Environmental Protection Agency and the White House Council on Environmental Quality. After serving as a law clerk for Judge Thomas J. Motley on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Royce returned home to practice energy law with a multinational law firm.

As special counsel for former Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court Bernette Johnson, Royce championed criminal justice reform after observing the human impact of inefficiencies and inequities in our criminal justice system. He worked to change the system by spearheading the management of a half-million-dollar grant to develop and adopt better practices for assessing and collecting court costs, fines, and fees.

As chairman of the New Orleans City Planning Commission, Royce worked to preserve the historic character of New Orleans neighborhoods while also promoting innovation and quality-of-life improvements. Today, he runs his own legal practice, Duplessis Law Firm, where he has built a successful career in civil litigation.

Elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2018 and later to the State Senate in 2022, Royce has been a strong voice for New Orleans families at the Capitol. His legislative accomplishments include lowering homeowners insurance costs by expanding Louisiana’s fortified roof program, prohibiting insurance companies from denying healthcare to displaced residents, extending the Earned Income Tax Credit, limiting the use of solitary confinement for juveniles, and expanding workforce training. He has also been a leading advocate for paid sick leave, a living wage, and universal access to early childhood education.

Royce’s commitment to service extends far beyond his professional work. Since 2012, he has mentored young men through the nationally recognized Silverback Society, helping to prepare the next generation of leaders. As president of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, he expanded free legal services and outreach clinics across New Orleans. He also co-founded and served as past president of the A.P. Tureaud Sr. Legacy Committee, dedicated to honoring the legendary civil rights attorney and educating the public on the contributions of Louisiana’s social justice heroes.

He currently serves on the boards of Innocence Project New Orleans, Total Community Action, the Justice and Accountability Center, and the Governor’s Council on the Success of Black Men and Boys. His work demonstrates his steadfast commitment to advancing equity, expanding opportunity, and supporting marginalized communities.

Royce’s leadership and service have been recognized with numerous honors, including the 2022 Mondale-Brooke Award from the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center, the 2021 Legislator of the Year Award from the Louisiana Center for Development and Learning, and the 2019 Legislator of the Year Award from the Childcare Association of Louisiana. He has also been recognized as a Fellow of the E Pluribus Unum Fund, the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute, the Education Leadership Institute, and the New Leaders Council. Xavier University honored him in 2015 as one of its “40 Under 40.”

Royce’s leadership, dedication to the community, and public service have been recognized by the Ascension DePaul Foundation (2025 Inspired Cross Award), Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2023 Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award), Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights (2023 Calogero Champion of Justice Award), Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center (2022 Mondale-Brooke Award), Louisiana Center for Development and Learning (2021 Legislator of the Year), the E Pluribus Unum Fund (2021 Fellow), the Childcare Association of Louisiana (2019 Legislator of the Year), and the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (2017 Fellow; Leadership Award Recipient). He was also honored as one of Xavier University of Louisiana’s 2015 “40 Under 40,” is a member of the Education Leadership Institute (2016 Fellow), and the New Leaders Council (2014 Fellow). In 2012, Royce was elected to the Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee.

In addition to these honors, Royce currently serves on the boards of Innocence Project New Orleans, Total Community Action, the Justice and Accountability Center, and the Governor’s Council on the Success of Black Men and Boys. Since 2012, he has also mentored young men through the nationally recognized Silverback Society. His leadership has consistently demonstrated a commitment to criminal justice reform, equity, and improving opportunities for those most marginalized in Louisiana.

Royce’s legislative leadership has been marked by his ability to bring people together to deliver real results. In Baton Rouge, he has built a reputation as a coalition-builder who works across party lines to pass meaningful reforms. He authored legislation to eliminate burdensome juvenile court fees through the Debt-Free Justice Act, limited the use of solitary confinement for juveniles, and expanded access to expungements so more Louisianans can get a second chance. He fought for paid sick leave, a living wage, and expanded access to early childhood education while also leading efforts to lower homeowners insurance costs through the fortified roof program. Royce also played a central role in the redistricting process, helping secure Louisiana’s Second Black Congressional District, a historic victory that strengthened representation for communities of color and ensured fairer maps for the state.