Justice Knoll Honored at Retirement Ceremony

Justice KnollThe Louisiana Supreme Court justices sat en banc in a courtroom ceremony today to honor one of their own, Justice Jeannette Theriot Knoll, on her last day sitting on the Supreme Court bench. Surrounded by friends, family and a host of colleagues from the legal profession, Justice Knoll celebrated 34 years of being a member of the Louisiana state judiciary. Her service began in 1983 when she was elected to the Third Circuit Court of Appeal. She was the first woman to be elected to an appellate court in the history of Louisiana.

“Twenty years ago Justice Knoll joined the Louisiana Supreme Court bench and she has since devoted herself to serving the Court, the judiciary and the people of Louisiana. She has established an impressive record during her time here, having read and voted on over 58,000 writ applications and authored nearly 200 Louisiana Supreme Court full opinions. When you add this to the 856 opinions she wrote during her 14 year tenure at the Third Circuit Court of Appeal, it is impossible to overstate Justice Knoll’s contribution to the development of Louisiana Law. Justice Knoll is also a gifted operatic soprano who once dreamed of an opera career. It is the good fortune of the State of Louisiana that law was her ultimate calling,” Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson said.

Justice Knoll received her undergraduate degree and her law degree from Loyola University. She cut her teeth as an indigent defender in Avoyelles Parish and for 13 years she practiced law with Knoll and Knoll. From 1972-1982 she served as the first Assistant District Attorney for the 12th Judicial District. In 1996, she earned a Master of Laws degree in the judicial process from the University of Virginia School of Law. Justice Knoll is the recipient of numerous honors and awards including: the 2017 St. Ives Award from Loyola College of Law; the 2002 Outstanding Judicial Award from Victims and Citizens AgainstCrime, Inc.; and, the 2000 Outstanding Jurist of the Year Award from Louisiana Crimefighters. In 2007, she was inducted, along with her whole family, into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame.

Justice Knoll has been married for nearly 50 years to Jerold Edward “Eddie” Knoll with whom she raised five sons and has nine grandchildren. Her official last day before retirement is December 31, 2016.