The Louisiana Supreme Court recently held oral arguments at Southern University Law Center (SULC) on Monday, March 17, 2025. Law Center students, faculty, and staff were invited to attend. Each of Louisiana’s four law school deans traditionally invites the Supreme Court to conduct oral arguments on their campuses.
The Louisiana Supreme Court's docket included four cases. The 19th Judicial District Court retired Judge Richard Anderson sat as Justice ad hoc for Justice Griffin who recused for one case. Three cases were heard at LSU on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. After oral arguments concluded, the Justices had discussions with students and faculty about the justice system and the importance of professionalism in legal practice. Notably, Chief Justice John L. Weimer and Justices Jefferson Hughes, William J. Crain, Jay B. McCallum, and Piper D. Griffin are graduates of LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center; Justice John Michael Guidry is a Southern University Law Center graduate and Justice Cade R. Cole is a Tulane University Law School graduate.
Chief Justice John L. Weimer expressed, “The Justices of the Louisiana Supreme Court and I enthusiastically welcome the 20-plus-year tradition of holding oral arguments at academic venues. This practice reflects the historical tradition of 'Riding the Circuit' by past Justices, who once traveled throughout Louisiana to ensure that all citizens had access to justice at a time when transportation to the Supreme Court was challenging. By hearing arguments at law schools, we provide law students—who may one day argue before the Supreme Court—and faculty the opportunity to witness the judicial process. This also enables residents in the region an opportunity to observe the application of jurisprudence firsthand.”
This event marked the first time that newly elected Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Guidry and Justice Cole participated in law school visits as Supreme Court Justices. In January 2025, Justice John Michael Guidry was elected as an Associate Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court for the Second District, after serving 27 years on the First Circuit Court of Appeal, including two years as chief judge. In March, Justice Cade R. Cole, who served as Louisiana’s first state and local tax judge, was elected Associate Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court for the Third District.
Following the oral arguments, the Law Center hosted a reception to honor Justice John Michael Guidry and celebrate his historic appointment.
Louisiana Supreme Court Clerk of Court Veronica O. Koclanes coordinated the oral arguments in collaboration with Southern University Law Center Chancellor Alvin Washington, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Accountability and Accreditation Regina Ramsey, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Shawn D. Vance, and SULC IT and Security staff.
For more information visit lasc.org or contact Louisiana Supreme Court Public Information Specialist, Trina S. Vincent at tvincent@lasc.org or I'tyonnie Jackson, Director of Communications and External Affairs at Southern Univeristy Law Center at ITyonnie.Jackson@sulc.edu.
Original source can be found here.