Chief Justice Johnson Takes Oath of Office on Feb. 1
Justice Bernette J. Johnson was sworn in as the new Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court in a brief ceremony on Feb. 1.
Administering the oath of office was her daughter, Rachael D. Johnson. A public ceremony celebrating the Chief Justice’s investiture will begin at noon on Thursday, Feb. 28, on the steps of the Louisiana Supreme Court, 400 Royal St., New Orleans.
Chief Justice Johnson was elected to serve on the Louisiana Supreme Court in 1994 and was re-elected, without opposition, in 2000 and 2010. She represents the Seventh Supreme Court District, which encompasses Orleans and Jefferson parishes.
“After serving for 10 years as a district trial judge, and then as an associate justice of the Supreme Court, I feel well-prepared for the tasks ahead as the chief administrative officer of the judicial system of the state. I am ready to serve, and excited about the challenges of this new position,” Chief Justice Johnson said.
On Jan. 31, Chief Justice Catherine D. (Kitty) Kimball officially retired, after 20 years of service on the Louisiana Supreme Court bench. She served as an associate justice representing the Fifth Supreme Court District from 1992-2008. In January 2009, she was sworn in as chief justice, making her the first woman chief justice in Louisiana.
Succeeding Chief Justice Kimball in representing the Fifth Supreme Court District is First Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Jefferson D. Hughes III. The Fifth Supreme Court District includes Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes.