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Hon. Lisa Woodruff-White, LDJA Past President, Ret. Judge East Baton Rouge Family Court

EXECUTIVE BOARD      

President: Judge Lala Sylvester
10th Judicial District Court

The Executive Board of the LDJA consists of five (5) officers and twelve (12) voting members who are selected each year by the officers.  The Executive Committee conducts all business of the LDJA and generally chairs the committees and initiatives.  The Executive Committee meets 4 times annually for executive business and once for legislative committee business. 

LDJA CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE

Chair: Judge William H. Burris, 22nd Judicial District Court
Vice Chair: Judge Greg Beard, 9th Judicial District Court

The LDJA/DOC Liaison Committee works with judicial partners such as the Department of Public Safety & Corrections, Louisiana District Attorneys Association, Louisiana Public Defenders Board, Probation and Parole, and others to improve the criminal justice system in Louisiana.  The Committee strives to meet twice annually, with one meeting held at DPS&C Headquarters and the other at a Louisiana Corrections Facility of the Chair's choosing.  During the meetings, criminal justice partners exchange information about implementation of new laws, discuss problems encountered within the justice system, and share learning experiences relevant to daily operations and functions of criminal court on the district level.  

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

Chair:  Judge Kelly Balfour, 19th Judicial District Court Liaison: Judge Glenn Ansardi, Ret. 24th Judicial District Court

Working closely with Legislative partners, this Committee strives to ensure the proper development of laws and provisions dealing with the administration of justice.

This Committee is responsible for the LDJA's "Judges in the Classroom" program, which seeks to include judges within the community by outreach to teachers, students and parents.  Lesson Plans involve teachings on law and civic education to elementary and secondary students in Louisiana.

CIVICS & LAW RELATED EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Chair:  Judge Randall Bethancourt
Vice Chair: Judge Jeanne Juneau, 34th Judicial District Court

LDJA/CLERKS OF COURT
LIAISON COMMITTEE

Chair:  Judge Mike Pitman, 1st Judicial District Court
Vice Chair: Judge Bruce Hampton, 3rd Judicial District Court and Judge Chris Peters, 28th Judicial District Court

This Committee intends to have judges work with the Clerks of Courts and Judicial Administrators across the state to form a more effective partnership within these groups.  Because the judges depend upon data input by the clerks, and in coordination of dockets and protocol by the judicial administrators, this committee seeks to improve those relations and to open the lines of communication.  

This Committee is working to organize all information used and implemented by courts throughout the state in their relative Problem-Solving Courts.  Best Practices tools and goals are being established.  Problem-Solving Courts represented in the committee include Drug, Behavioral Health, Re-Entry, DWI, Domestic Violence, and Veterans Courts.

SPECIALTY COURTS COMMITTEE

Chair:  Judge Ray Childress

The Rural Courts within the State are often excluded from programs and events and/or the judges within those courts are unable to attend for various reasons.  In order to give these courts a greater voice and to relate to the LDJA, the Supreme Court and the Judicial College the needs of these courts, this committee was formed.  The initial goals of the committee is to identify issues with an ultimate goal to set forth best practices models for smaller courts and to help with funding obstacles faced by the rural jurisdictions. 

RURAL COURTS COMMITTEE

Chair:  Judge Martha O’Neal
Vice Chair: Judge Penelope Richard

The Self-Represented Litigants Committee (SRL) was formed to assist judges, litigants and attorneys alike to address the growing challenge of self represented litigants in Louisiana courts.  This committee is working with the Louisiana State Bar Association and other entities to combine self-help resources and promote greater access to justice for all litigants.

SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS COMMITTEE

Chair: Judge Jeffrey Cashe, 21st Judicial District Court
Vice Chair: Judge Bernadette D’Souza, Orleans Family Court

The Strategic Planning Committee includes members of the bench and also certain members from court administration from the Supreme Court and other parishes.  Required by statute, the Strategic Plan for district courts must be updated and reviewed periodically every several years.  

STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE

Chair:  Vacant

The Technology Committee was created to consider the potential implementation of new and existing technologies in the criminal and civil legal systems. The Technology Committee also keeps the website updated and useful to the LDJA and to the general public. The website is administered by the liaison counsel and funded solely by the LDJA. 

WEBSITE/TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

Chair:  Judge Clayton Davis, 14th Judicial District Court

MENTORING COMMITTEE

Chair: Anthony Eaves, 30th Judicial District Court

The Mentoring Committee works to assign a mentor-judge to each newly elected judge. The Judge-Mentor program serves to allow more senior judges to impart information to younger judges, while establishing a bond between those judges who are paired in the program.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Chair: Judge Bruce Hampton, 3rd Judicial District Court

The primary role of the LDJA Finance Committee is to develop and recommend, in consultation with the president-elect, an annual budget. The Committee will also make recommendations to the LDJA Executive Committee after review of all funding requests presented to the LJDA. Members of the Finance Committee are appointed by the LDJA President.

COUNCIL OF CHIEF JUDGES

Chair Rural Courts: Judge Laurie Brister, 6th JDC
Chair Urban Court: VACANT

The Council of Chief Judges was formed in 2022 with the goal of creating and equipping chief judges with resources and administrative tools. One goal of the Council is to draft a Chief Judge Manual with individual focus on larger courts (urban) as well as smaller (rural) courts with limited resources.