United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Jerry Edwards, Jr. has resigned from the Department of Justice after having been confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as United States District Court Judge.
“There is a reason I selected Jerry Edwards as my First Assistant after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate as U.S. Attorney,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Judge Edwards is a well-respected litigator, the consummate professional, garners great respect among our local, state and federal judges and over the years has constantly displayed strong leadership abilities amongst his peers in this office. I could not dream of a better district judge selection. We are quite saddened to lose him as a colleague in this office, but great things lie ahead for this district due to this historical confirmation.”
During his tenure at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Edwards served as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Louisiana, which includes 42 of the State’s 64 parishes and geographically encompasses two-thirds of the State of Louisiana. Edwards has served as the First Assistant United States Attorney since 2022 and prior to that, served as the district’s Civil Chief from 2020 through 2022. Edwards is the first person of color ever to have sat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. As First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Edwards oversaw the investigation and prosecution of all federal criminal violations in the Western District of Louisiana and represented the United States in all civil litigation occurring in the District.
Prior to serving at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Edwards was a Shareholder and Director at Blanchard, Walker, O’Quin & Roberts in Shreveport where he was employed from 2006-2019, with a diverse litigation practice focused primarily on tort defense, consumer bankruptcy work for creditors, and collection work. In addition, he handled municipal work with a focus on zoning and land use. Edwards received his Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia State University in 2002 and his Juris Doctorate from Vermont Law School in 2005. After graduating law school, Edwards clerked for Judges Jeanette G. Garrett and Scott J. Crichton of the First Judicial District Court of Louisiana.
After being sworn in by Chief U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty, Edwards began his service on the bench on December 23, 2023. Edwards, 44, was nominated by President Biden on June 7, 2023. The United States Senate confirmed his nomination on December 14, 2023.
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