New Orleans Traffic Court Judge Dennis J. Dannel, 67, died January 21, 2011. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of New Orleans in 1971 and his JD from LSU Law School in 1974. Prior to his election to the bench he served as an assistant U.S. attorney for three years, including one as chief of narcotics. Additionally, he served with the public defender’s office at Orleans Parish Juvenile Court before entering into the private practice of law in 1981. He took his first oath as Traffic Court judge in 1989.