Welcome Justice Genovese!

IMG_0163On Tuesday, January 3, 2017, Justice James T. Genovese was formally sworn in as the Louisiana Supreme Court’s newest associate justice at the Evangeline Downs Event Center in Opelousas, Louisiana. Justice Genovese represents the Third Supreme Court District, which was formerly represented by Associate Justice Jeannette T. Knoll, who retired on December 31, 2016.

Justice Genovese was born in Opelousas and received his B.A. at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where he was a four-year letterman in tennis. He earned a Juris Doctorate from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 1974 with honors in property law. Justice Genovese returned to Opelousas to practice law from 1974-1995, serving as judge ad hoc in the Opelousas City Court from 1975-1989. In 1995, Judge Genovese was elected to the 27th Judicial District Court and served there until 2004. He was then elected in 2005 to the State of Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal and served on that court until his election to the Louisiana Supreme Court in November 2016. His Louisiana Supreme Court term began on January 1, 2017.

Justice Genovese is an active bar participant. He has been the President, Past President, Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurer of the St. Landry Parish Bar Association, and he is a member of the LSBA, the Colorado Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. Justice Genovese has been admitted to the bar in all Louisiana state and federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court. Justice Genovese served on several Third Circuit Court of Appeal committees, including Technology; Costs; Security; Building; Continuity of Operations; and Emergency Preparedness. Additionally, Justice Genovese has been a panelist and lecturer at conferences and continuing education seminars on topics such as ethics and professionalism, summary judgment, and writs and appeals.

Nearly 1,000 people attended the investiture ceremony, including Chief Justice Bernette J. Johnson, retired Associate Justice Jeannette T. Knoll, Governor John Bel Edwards, and Louisiana’s First Lady Donna Edwards. United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Carl Stewart administered the oath of office. “I know Judge Genovese loves this great state and loves his people, and he serves with an infectious enthusiasm,” said Governor Edwards. The Governor went on to say that Justice Genovese possesses the four abilities judges must have to serve effectively on the bench, as outlined by the philosopher Socrates: “… to hear courteously, to answer wisely, to consider soberly, and to decide impartially. Those are the four things we look for in judges, and that’s why I’m so proud to be here today, because I know that Judge Genovese exemplifies those ideals.”

Justice Genovese thanked St. Landry Parish voters for turning out to vote for him and providing critical support for his election win, saying “St. Landry, today is your day. Today, you will take your seat at the table.” Opelousas was the birthplace of two former Louisiana Supreme Court justices: Cornelius Voorhies (1853-1859) and Albert Tate, Jr. (1970-1979). Please join us in welcoming Justice Genovese to the Louisiana Supreme Court family!