District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana

District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana is a federal trial court with jurisdiction over the eastern part of the state. Its primary courthouse is the Hale Boggs Federal Building in New Orleans. The court hears cases arising under federal law, including matters related to the Mississippi River, Gulf of Mexico, and major industries like offshore drilling and shipping. It is part of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

History

The court was established on March 26, 1804, following the Louisiana Purchase and the creation of the Orleans Territory. It is one of the original federal courts organized under the Judiciary Act of 1801. The court's early docket was heavily influenced by admiralty law due to the port of New Orleans, and it played a central role in cases stemming from the War of 1812 and the Battle of New Orleans. Throughout the 19th century, it adjudicated numerous disputes involving piracy, slavery, and Civil War claims. In the 20th century, the court was instrumental in cases concerning the Civil Rights Movement, school desegregation, and regulatory challenges to the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Jurisdiction and organization

The court's jurisdiction encompasses thirteen parishes: Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington, St. Charles, Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. John the Baptist, St. James, and Livingston. It exercises authority over all federal crimes, civil actions under the United States Constitution, and cases involving diversity jurisdiction. The court operates with six authorized Article III judgeships and utilizes magistrate judges. It is administratively supported by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

Courthouses

The primary seat of the court is the Hale Boggs Federal Building and United States Courthouse in downtown New Orleans. This facility, named for former U.S. Representative Hale Boggs, houses multiple courtrooms and the offices of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District. The court also maintains a federal courthouse in Baton Rouge, which is shared with the District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. Following Hurricane Katrina, the John Minor Wisdom United States Court of Appeals Building served as a temporary venue. Other historic locations have included the U.S. Custom House and the French Quarter.

Notable cases

The court has presided over many landmark legal proceedings. It handled the corruption trials of former Governor of Louisiana Edwin Edwards and New Orleans City Council members. Significant environmental litigation includes cases against BP following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and suits concerning Army Corps of Engineers projects like the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. The court was the forum for the *Cruikshank* case, which followed the Colfax massacre and impacted Fourteenth Amendment enforcement. Other notable matters have involved antitrust actions against the National Football League, challenges to the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, and habeas corpus petitions from the Angola Prison.

Judges

Judges are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. Notable past judges include John Minor Wisdom, who later served on the Fifth Circuit and was a key figure in school desegregation rulings, and Morey L. Sear, who presided over the Edwin Edwards trials. The current chief judge is Nannette Jolivette Brown, the first African American woman to serve on the court. Other active judges include Lance Africk, Barry Ashe, and Wendy Vitter. Former Chief Justice of the United States Edward Douglass White began his judicial career on this court, as did Fifth Circuit judge Jacques L. Wiener Jr..

Category:United States district courts Category:Louisiana law Category:Courts and tribunals established in 1804 Category:1804 establishments in the United States