Judges' Information

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has twelve authorized active judgeships with three senior judges and four magistrate judges.   The active judges and senior judges are appointed to the district bench by the President of the United States, and confirmed by the United States Senate, under Article III of the Constitution of the United States.  The Article III judges exercise what Article III calls "the judicial power of the United States."

Magistrate judges are selected by the district judges upon recommendation by a Merit Selection Panel. They are then appointed to serve for a period of eight years after which they may request consideration for reappointment. Magistrate judges carry out various responsibilities in accordance with Civil Local Rule 73 and Criminal Local Rule 5.

To learn more about the judges who have served on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, visit the court's history page.