On February 26, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, in partnership with the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Association for Women Attorneys, Louisiana State Bar Association, New Orleans Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, U.S. Attorney’s Office (EDLA), Federal Public Defender’s Office (EDLA), and U.S. Probation Office (EDLA), hosted a virtual African American History Month Celebration entitled, “The History & Traditions of Black Sororities and Fraternities.” The Honorable Nannette Jolivette Brown, Chief U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District, made welcoming remarks. The Honorable Ivan L.R. Lemelle, Senior U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District, discussed the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. King’s membership and service with Alpha Phi Alpha, and his enduring legacy. The Honorable Dana M. Douglas, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District, provided an overview of the history of African American sororities and fraternities. Camille Bryant, President of the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, moderated the event. Chief Judge Brown, Judge Lemelle, Judge Douglas, Camille Bryant, and the following audience members shared fond memories of the positive effect that African American sororities and fraternities had on their lives as well as the community at-large: Kenya Walton, Special Offender Specialist (USPO-EDLA); Rocquel Milsap, Human Resources Administrator (USDC-EDLA); Duane Evans, Interim U.S. Attorney (EDLA); Theodore Carter, Assistant U.S. Attorney (EDLA); Brittany Reed, Assistant U.S. Attorney (EDLA); and Tamia Gordon, Chief Deputy Clerk (USDC-EDLA).
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News & Announcements
Check this page, or the News and Announcements box on the homepage, for the latest official news and announcements released by the court. You can also access archived news and announcements from this page.
February 24, 2021
On February 3, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana held oath administrations in which 12 petitioners pledged allegiance to the United States and became new U.S. citizens. The Honorable Nannette Jolivette Brown, Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, presided over the oath administrations. To abide by COVID-19 safety protocols, the oath administrations were held outside, participants wore masks, and all maintained at least a 6-foot distance from one another. Dedicated members of the New Orleans Chapter of the League of Women Voters were present to help new citizens register to vote following the oath administrations. To view photographs of the oath administrations, please select this link.
February 12, 2021
U. S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Vice-President Kamala Harris, and Novelist Toni Morrison, just to name a few, were all members of black sororities or fraternities. These organizations, commonly referred to as the “Divine Nine,” play an integral role in many African Americans’ lives. Please join us in exploring the rich history and traditions of these quintessential African American organizations. And we invite all participants to wear their “colors” and share their personal stories of how black Greek life organizations helped shape their lives. To register for the event, please send an email to LAED_RSVP@laed.uscourts.gov. To view the event flyer, please click here.
January 19, 2021
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January 15, 2021
To combat the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), given the severity of risks posed to the public, Court staff, and other Court agencies, and considering the public health recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the undersigned Chief Judge for United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana hereby issues this order, which amends COVID-19 General Order No. 20-6, COVID-19 General Order No. 20-9, COVID-19 General Order No. 20-10, and COVID-19 General Order No. 20-13 (attached as Exhibit A to this Order and incorporated herein by reference) to extend certain deadlines addressed therein as follows.
1. All civil and criminal jury trials are suspended until May 1, 2021 and will be reset by each presiding judge. Those continuances do not continue any pending deadlines other than the trial dates. Attorneys should contact the presiding judges in their continued cases if they seek to modify such other deadlines.
2. With regard to criminal matters, due to the Court’s reduced ability to obtain an adequate spectrum of jurors and the effect of the recommendations of the health organizations mentioned in Exhibit A on the ability of counsel and Court staff to be present in the courtroom, the time period of the postponements implemented by this administrative order will be excluded under the Speedy Trial Act, as the Court specifically finds that the ends of justice served by ordering the postponements outweigh the best interest of the public and any defendant’s right to a speedy trial, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.§ 3161(h)(7)(A).
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January 7, 2021
The Judicial Conference of the U.S. Courts provided notice of an apparent breach of the CM/ECF system and called upon courts to implement new security procedures to protect highly sensitive documents (HSDs). We do not know if the breach impacted EDLA specifically. The court will post new procedures as quickly as possible for the limited types of documents that meet the definition of HSDs on this website. Most HSDs are filed under seal as preliminary documents in criminal cases and submitted to the court in paper form so we expect there to be little impact to attorney procedures with the court.
For more information, visit www.uscourts.gov.
January 5, 2021
On September 8-11, October 1, and December 3, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana held Oath of Allegiance Administrations in which 80 individuals became U.S. citizens. The Honorable Nannette Jolivette Brown, Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, administered the Oath of Allegiance to the naturalization candidates. The oath administrations were held outside the U.S. District Courthouse, on the courthouse porch, to ensure that all participants remained safe in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, participants wore masks and maintained at least a 6-foot distance from each other. Members of the New Orleans Chapter of the League of Women Voters were on hand to assist new citizens in registering to vote, and many of the new citizens registered in time to vote in the most recent presidential election. The oath administrations were a true symbol of the new citizens’ fortitude and resolve, as well as the Court’s commitment to continuing its operations in a safe and mindful manner. To view photographs of these oath administrations, please select this link.
December 18, 2020
The Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has issued COVID-19 General Order No. 20-14, extending COVID-19 General Order No. 20-11, COVID-19 General Order No. 20-8 and COVID-19 General Order No. 20-4 for an additional ninety days or until March 18, 2021.
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December 2, 2020
The Administrative Office of the Courts has adopted the attached changes to the Fee Schedule of the District Courts. These changes were effective on December 1, 2020.
December 1, 2020 Fee Changes
December 2, 2020
To combat the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), given the severity of risks posed to the public, Court staff, and other Court agencies, and considering the public health recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the undersigned Chief Judge for United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana hereby issues this order, which amends COVID-19 General Order No. 20-6, COVID-19 General Order No. 20-9, and COVID-19 General Order No. 20-10 (attached as Exhibit A to this Order and incorporated herein by reference) to extend certain deadlines addressed therein as follows.
1. All civil and criminal jury trials are suspended until March 1, 2021 and will be reset by each presiding judge. Those continuances do not continue any pending deadlines other than the trial dates. Attorneys should contact the presiding judges in their continued cases if they seek to modify such other deadlines.
2. With regard to criminal matters, due to the Court’s reduced ability to obtain an adequate spectrum of jurors and the effect of the recommendations of the health organizations mentioned in Exhibit A on the ability of counsel and Court staff to be present in the courtroom, the time period of the postponements implemented by this administrative order will be excluded under the Speedy Trial Act, as the Court specifically finds that the ends of justice served by ordering the postponements outweigh the best interest of the public and any defendant’s right to a speedy trial, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.§ 3161(h)(7)(A).
View this PDF.