On July 6, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana held a naturalization ceremony in which 28 individuals became United States citizens. The Honorable Susie Morgan, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana, presided over the ceremony and gave keynote remarks. In her remarks, Judge Morgan spoke of notable American immigrants like Alexander Hamilton, John Muir, and Joseph Pulitzer, and stressed the importance of fulfilling one’s civic duty through voting and jury service. Judge Morgan’s remarks were followed by a recorded message from President Joe Biden. Naturalization candidates then swore an oath of allegiance to the United States and received naturalization certificates. Click here to view photos from the ceremony.
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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.
June 27, 2023
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana seeks applicants for a potential expanded mediation panel for its streamlined settlement program for Hurricane Ida property insurance cases. Given the approaching August 29, 2023 deadline to file such cases, the Court anticipates a substantial number of new lawsuits in the coming 60 days. Accordingly, the Court is preparing to expand the panel of neutrals if the number of new filings makes such expansion necessary and is inviting qualified mediators to apply for inclusion on such an expanded panel. More information, including the minimum requirements for mediators and instructions for applying, is available here.
June 23, 2023
On Thursday, June 15, 2023, the Clerk’s Office Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee honored LGBTQ+ Pride Month by hosting an event focused on the Upstairs Lounge tragedy. The tragedy occurred on June 24, 1973, when a fire broke out at the Upstairs Lounge, a gay bar in the French Quarter. The arson-induced fire claimed the lives of 32 people, making it the deadliest incident of violence against the gay community in the United States prior to the Pulse Nightclub shooting. At the Pride Month event, a documentary film entitled, “Pride and Prejudice: Fire at the Upstairs Lounge,” was shown. After the film, French Quarter and LGBTQ+ historian, Frank Perez, gave a presentation on the tragedy and told the stories of men whose lives were claimed in the fire, as well as those who survived and later became leaders in the local LGBTQ+ movement.
June 21, 2023
The en banc Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana has issued an addendum to its Hurricane Ida Case Management Order to address the withdrawal of McClenny, Moseley & Associates from cases and claims concerning Hurricane Ida insurance disputes. The addendum establishes a framework that (1) encourages the representation of policyholders, (2) ensures policyholders are protected by permitting the filing of lawsuits on their behalf before the prescriptive period expires, and (3) protects attorneys taking over their cases by providing counsel with post-filing “breathing room” to investigate and vet claims without fear of sanction. Subject to conditions detailed in the addendum, the order provides for an automatic stay for certain cases, an extension of time for service, and a waiver of Local Rule 83.2.11 for counsel enrolling in cases in which MMA attorneys were previously enrolled.
Further details can be found in the complete addendum.
June 16, 2023
Attorney admissions will not be held on July 5, 2023, due to the Independence Day holiday. Attorney admissions will resume on July 12.
June 2, 2023
U.S. District Judge Darrel J. Papillion took the oath of office to join the bench of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on June 2, 2023. Chief Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown administered the oath in a private ceremony, allowing Judge Papillion to begin his service in advance of his formal investiture ceremony in September. Judge Papillion was nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate earlier in 2023. The Court extends a warm welcome to Judge Papillion and looks forward to his service on the bench.
May 26, 2023
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael North will hold a general Hurricane Ida Litigation status conference on Wed., June 14, 2023, at 10 a.m. in courtroom 352. The on-the-record hearing will concern matters arising from the suspension of R. William Huye, III and the withdrawal of McClenny, Moseley & Associates from cases pending in this District. Any defense or plaintiff counsel may attend, but the discussions will be insurer-centric. More information, including lists of specific discussion topics and law firms encouraged to attend, can be found in the Court’s Order.
May 25, 2023
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana would like to honor the lives and legacies of two of its cherished court security officers: Michael Riley, who passed away on September 24, 2020, and Richard LeBlanc, who passed away on May 14, 2023.
Michael Riley served as a Court Security Officer for the Eastern District until his passing. Prior to his service at the Eastern District, he served for over 30 years with the New Orleans Police Department. Recently, his career was recognized at National Police Week in Washington, D.C.
Richard LeBlanc served as a Court Security Officer for the Eastern District until his recent passing. All in all, he served for over 50 years as a law enforcement professional.
The Eastern District sends its sincerest condolences to the officers’ families. Michael and Richard will both be sorely missed and fondly remembered by the entire court family.
CSO Richard LeBlanc
CSO Michael Riley
National Police Week, Washinton, D.C.
May 22, 2023
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana seeks qualified applicants for a U.S. Magistrate Judge vacancy in the district. The vacancy announcement describes the required qualifications and application process. Both the announcement and the application are available at the links below and on the Employment page of the Court’s website. Applications are due July 21, 2023.
1. Vacancy Announcement – U.S. Magistrate Judge
2. U.S. Magistrate Judge Application (PDF Version) (Word Version)
3. Order Appointing Merit Selection Panel
May 10, 2023
On May 4, 2023, the Honorable Greg G. Guidry, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana, presided over a naturalization ceremony in which 23 individuals became United States citizens. Immigration attorney, Kathleen Gasparian, served as keynote speaker. In her remarks, Ms. Gasparian praised the petitioners for their courage and sacrifice and thanked them for their contributions to American society and culture. Peter Mansfield, Chief of the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office (EDLA), served as the Attorney General’s designee and certified the petitioners’ eligibility for citizenship. Dedra Pongracz, Case Manager for Judge Guidry, administered the Oath of Allegiance, and the Marine Forces Reserve Band provided musical accompaniment. To view photos from the ceremony, please select this link.