Celebrating 200 Years

Joe Busbey Hamiter (1899-1986)

Associate Justice, Supreme Court of Louisiana, January 1, 1943, to July 30, 1970

Chief Justice, August 1, 1970, to December 30, 1970

Born November 6, 1899, in Shreveport, Louisiana • Graduated from Shreveport High School 1917 • Attended Louisiana State University until 1919 • Engaged in farming and the real estate business • Returned to the university in 1921 to study law • Earned LL.B. degree and was admitted to the bar in 1923 • Practiced law in Shreveport until 1936, also serving as state representative from Caddo Parish from 1928 to 1935 • As a legislator, frequently opposed the Long faction, voting against their proposals • Elected to twelve-year term on Second Circuit Court of Appeals beginning January 1, 1936 • Married Hattie Wells Courtney September 21, 1942 • Elected to fourteen-year term as associate justice of the Supreme Court, taking office on January 1, 1943 • Re-elected without opposition for another fourteen-year term in 1956 • Elevated to chief justice August 1, 1970, upon the retirement of John B. Fournet • Served only five months before retiring on December 31, 1970 • Died January 7, 1986, in Shreveport •