Celebrating 200 Years

Marcus R. Clark (1956-2024)

Associate Justice, Louisiana Supreme Court November 19, 2009 - June 30, 2020

Justice Marcus R. Clark was born on February 24, 1956, in Sulphur, Louisiana to Gerald and Hilda Clark. He credits his dad, Gerald, for preparing him best for his work in public service by teaching him the importance of a strong work ethic at an early age, while working in the family owned laundromat.

After graduating from Sulphur High School in 1974, Justice Clark enrolled in Northeast Louisiana University, now known as the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. He immediately went to work for the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office in Monroe where he earned the title of Detective before leaving in 1982 to attend the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. In 1985 he graduated with his Juris Doctorate and was offered a job with the Ouachita Parish District Attorney’s Office and by 1990 had earned the title of Chief Felony Drug Prosecutor. He is the Co-Author of the Louisiana Drug Asset Forfeiture Law and Co-Author of the National TOP Gun Seminar.

Justice Clark began his judicial career in 1997 when he was elected District Judge to the Fourth Judicial District Court. During his tenure as judge he volunteered to serve as a Drug Court Judge from 2000-2001 for the newly developing Drug Court Program, and served as Chief Judge from 2004-2006. He is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and Fourth Judicial District Court Bar Association and past member of the Louisiana District Judges Association and Louisiana District Judges Association Executive Committee. He has served on a number of committees and boards designed to move the judicial system forward, including the New Judgeship Committee, Ad Hoc NCSC Study Committee, Criminal Judges Committee, Salary & Personnel Committee, Court Technology Committee and the Supreme Court Uniform Rules Committee. In addition to professional committees he has volunteered to serve on a number of community awareness committees as well. He enjoys lecturing and has been a repeat lecturer for the North Delta Police Training Academy, Louisiana Sheriff’s Association, Louisiana District Attorney’s Association, and the Louisiana District Judges Association.

In 2009, Justice Clark was elected to the Louisiana Supreme Court. He currently serves on several boards and committees including Chairman of the Budgetary Control Board, the Sheriff’s Executive Management Institute Board, the Internal Audit Committee, the Human Resources Committee, and is the Supreme Court’s liaison to the Louisiana District Judges Association.

Justice Clark’s home is in West Monroe, where he resides with his wife Allyson, a neo-natal nurse at St. Francis Medical Center, and his two children, Nicole and Cooper.