Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Scott U. Schlegel was appointed by National Center for State Courts (NCSC) President Mary McQueen to serve on the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA), the National Association for Court Management (NACM), and the National Center for State Courts Joint Technology Committee (JTC) for a three-year term ending on July 31, 2027. He becomes a voting member and is one of two state judges appointed by the NCSC president.

The Louisiana Supreme Court announces the appointment of new members of the Louisiana Supreme Court Technology Commission. This standing commission, which consists of judges from all levels of the state judiciary, is tasked with identifying technology needs, establishing goals for implementation, devising best practices, and suggesting necessary rule changes and steps toward implementing articulated technology goals for the judiciary. Louisiana Supreme Court Justice-elect John Michael Guidry will serve as the newly-appointed Chair of the Louisiana Supreme Court Technology Commission.

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jay B. McCallum will join the Judges of the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal and Judicial Administrator/Clerk of Court Robin Jones for a ceremony featuring the donation of a portrait of former Louisiana Governor and Supreme Court Associate Justice Newton Crain Blanchard. The event will take place on Monday, November 25, 2024 at 10:30 am in the Louisiana 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal courtroom in Shreveport.

The Louisiana Supreme Court Families in Need of Services Assistance Program (FINS-AP) has developed a documentary designed to shine a light on the opioid crisis in Louisiana with the hope of bringing greater awareness to the epidemic that is impacting so many lives across our state.

The Law Library of Louisiana and the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) were named the recipients of the 2024 American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) Excellence in Community Engagement Award for their innovative and comprehensive Legal Education and Assistance Program (LEAP).

Louisiana judges gathered this morning at St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square for the 72nd annual Red Mass, which marks the opening of the judicial year. Traditionally, Red Mass is held on the first Monday in October. Members of the bench and bar, as well as officials of all faiths and the public, were invited to attend.

The Honorable Justice Jeffrey P. Victory, retired Louisiana Supreme Court Justice, passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2024, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was 78 years old.

The Honorable Justice Marcus R. Clark, retired Louisiana Supreme Court Justice, passed away on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, in Gainesville, Georgia. He was 68 years old.

The Judiciary Commission of Louisiana announces the election of Suzanne H. Stinson as Commission Chair, and Third Judicial District Court Judge Bruce E. Hampton as Vice-Chair of the Judiciary Commission.

Today, with gratitude to the diligent efforts of Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections Secretary James M. LeBlanc and his staff, Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer circulated to every Louisiana state judge with jurisdiction in criminal cases a “benchbook” to use as a resource in sentencing decisions. Chief Justice Weimer stated, “Because most incarcerated offenders will eventually be released, sentencing requirements during incarceration should be tailored—as much as possible—to reducing the likelihood of committing crimes after incarceration. The safety of our citizens requires this, and incarcerated offenders who can learn strategies to rid themselves of drug addiction or who develop new job skills are key groups who stand to benefit by later transforming themselves into productive members of society.”

The Supreme Court of Louisiana, Office of the Judicial Administrator is requesting statements of qualifications/proposals from qualified attorneys licensed to practice law in Louisiana with a degree or experience in Information Systems interested in serving as an independent legal consultant for the Court Case Management Information Systems (CMIS) office. Statements of qualifications/proposals will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jay B. McCallum administered the oath of office to Katie Jo Miller, Esq., who is the first military spouse attorney to take advantage of the opportunity to practice law in Louisiana under Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XVII, Section 15. This rule, titled Temporary Admission of Military Spouse Attorneys enacted effective September 23, 2022, allows licensed attorney spouses of active-duty military members who reside with their service members in Louisiana to apply for a limited license to practice law.

In recognition of the 66th annual celebration of Law Day, the Justices of the Louisiana Supreme Court issued a Resolution commemorating today as Law Day. The Resolution urges and requests “judges of the State of Louisiana to dedicate the month of May 2024 to reaching out to schools to provide students with an opportunity to learn about the law, the role of a judge and the court system from members of the judiciary.” The Law Day 2024 theme is “Voices of Democracy.”

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jay B. McCallum has been appointed by his fellow Justices of the Louisiana Supreme Court as the Court's ex officio appointee to the Council of the Louisiana State Law Institute, effective immediately.

Chief Disciplinary Counsel for the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board Charles B. Plattsmier announced his retirement effective March 31, 2024. At nearly 28 years of service, Mr. Plattsmier is the longest-serving Chief Disciplinary Counsel in recent history.

The Judiciary Commission of Louisiana announces the election of Orleans Criminal District Court Judge Robin D. Pittman as Commission Chair, and Suzanne H. Stinson as Vice-Chair; the recent appointments of three new members to the nine-member Judiciary Commission: Mr. Lloyd J. Clark of Jefferson Parish, attorney Thomas C. Wicker, IV of Orleans Parish, and attorney David Ardoin of Lafourche Parish; and the appointment of attorney Kelly Blackwell as Judiciary Commission Counsel.

The Louisiana Supreme Court recently accepted an invitation by Loyola University New Orleans College of Law to hold oral arguments on the school’s uptown campus.

Retired Assistant United States Attorney Mary Mudrick has been appointed to serve as judge pro tempore of Shreveport City Court Division C, effective January 8, 2024 through December 31, 2024, or until the vacancy is filled, whichever occurs sooner. The vacancy is the result of the retirement of Shreveport City Court Judge Pammela Lattier on December 31, 2023.

Chief Judge John Michael Guidry of the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal has been elected Secretary-Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal (CCJSCA). His one-year term began Oct. 27 during the CCJSCA Annual Conference in Charleston, South Carolina.