In recognition of Governor John Bel Edwards’ proclamation of Juneteenth becoming a legal holiday in the State of Louisiana and that all state offices will close for a half-day, the offices of the Louisiana Supreme Court will close at noon on Friday, June 18, 2021.

The Law Library of Louisiana and the Supreme Court of Louisiana Historical Society recently co-sponsored a free CLE titled, Translating the Louisiana Civil Code into Spanish: A Jurilinguistic Exercise. This free CLE, which was held via webinar, was attended by 284 people including 42 persons who joined from other countries around the world. This is the latest translation project undertaken by the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law School’s Center of Civil Law Studies (CCLS). Previous projects include translating the Louisiana Civil Code into French, and a new translation of the English version of Louisiana’s 1825 Civil Code.

Today the Louisiana Supreme Court made history when it appointed attorney Veronica Odinet Koclanes as its Clerk of Court. Ms. Odinet Koclanes becomes the first female Clerk of Court in the Louisiana Supreme Court’s 208-year history. She will succeed current Clerk John Tarlton Olivier upon his retirement at the end of this year. Mr. Olivier has served as Clerk of Court since March 1, 1996.

Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer presented the Court’s inspirational Judges in the Classroom/Students in the Courtroom initiative on Friday, May 21, 2021, before the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education at the State Capitol. The Chief Justice was eager to share with the Commission and Commission Chair, Judge Wendell Manning, the court’s strategy for encouraging Louisiana’s judges to visit elementary, middle, and high schools to present civics education instruction.

Chief Justice John L. Weimer announced today the Court’s adoption of amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct pertaining to lawyer advertising. The Rules of Professional Conduct set forth the standards of ethical conduct required of lawyers.

The Law Library of Louisiana is now open to the public by appointment only.

Several new appointments have been made to the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana.

Friday, April 16, 2021 at 2:00 pm - Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr. Courthouse - 400 Royal Street, New Orleans

Upon the recommendation of the Committee on Bar Admissions (COBA), the Louisiana Supreme Court issued an Order announcing the method of administering the July 2021 Louisiana Bar Examination due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Piper D. Griffin swore in New Orleans Paralegal Association (NOPA) 2021 Board Members

As part of its ongoing “Judges in the Classroom” initiative, the Louisiana Supreme Court Justices welcomed students from Tulane University School of Law to the Supreme Court to witness oral arguments presented to the Court.

3/17/2021

By Supreme Court Order of February 11, 2021, the moratorium on jury trials will expire on March 31, 2021, and trial courts are free to resume jury trials on April 1, 2021. According to the Order, jury trials may resume when local courts have determined that jury trials can be held in a safe environment, with observance of safety protocols, including strict social distancing and mask mandates.

The Court Improvement Program of the Louisiana Supreme Court, the Louisiana Judicial College, and the Pelican Center for Children and Families today announced the publication of the Louisiana Child in Need of Care (CINC) Benchbook for Juvenile Judges. The Benchbook project is a part of the Child and Family Services Review Program Improvement Plan. The Benchbook incorporates State and Federal laws, best practices, and the Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) Child Welfare Assessment and Decision Making Model, which is designed to expedite permanency and decrease the trauma experienced by families and children in CINC proceedings. This work is the culmination of a year-long collaborative effort involving many legal stakeholders in Louisiana.

02/17/2021 - 02/19/2021

Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer announced that the Louisiana Supreme Court has issued an Order closing the offices of the Louisiana Supreme Court and Supreme Court Clerk of Court’s office on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 due to the emergency created by the hazardous conditions caused by severe winter weather resulting in road closures, loss of power, and other safety risks statewide, and the Commissioner of Administration announcing that state offices will be closed statewide Wednesday, February 17th.

The Louisiana Supreme Court announced the launch of several Black History Month educational initiatives to spotlight contributions of prominent African Americans to the field of law. The Supreme Court will partner with the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to bring these initiatives to schools statewide.

24th Judicial District Court Judge Scott Schlegel, who serves as Chair of the Louisiana Supreme Court Technology Commission, was recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) as a 2021 Legal Rebel. The designation was given to 10 individuals in the legal profession who help to bring about change in the judicial system by establishing a blueprint for courts to better serve the general public. Judge Schlegel is featured in the article, 2021 Legal Rebels: Meet 10 legal professionals who are courting change, in the February issue of the American Bar Journal, a publication of the American Bar Association.

State’s highest court and top school board to partner on education initiatives

Chief Justice Weimer began his service on the Louisiana Supreme Court in 2001 when he was elected to serve as an Associate Justice, District 6, comprised of the parishes of: Assumption, Iberia, Lafourche, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne, and a portion of the west bank of Jefferson, which includes Grand Isle. In 2002 and again in 2012, Chief Justice Weimer was re-elected to 10-year terms without opposition.