United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
About This Court
The United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana is one of two federal district courts in Louisiana and sits within the Fifth Circuit. The district covers the western portion of the state, encompassing a large and geographically diverse area that includes Shreveport, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Alexandria, and Monroe, among other cities and parishes.
The court handles the full range of federal civil and criminal matters arising within its territory, including cases involving natural resources, energy, and industries prominent in the region. Its docket reflects the economic and demographic character of western Louisiana, with significant litigation related to the oil and gas sector, maritime matters under admiralty jurisdiction, and federal criminal prosecutions.
With multiple divisions spread across a wide geographic area, the court serves a population spanning rural agricultural communities and mid-sized urban centers. The district's Lafayette Division, in particular, handles substantial caseloads tied to the energy industry centered in south-central Louisiana.
Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence, along with the court's local rules. Bankruptcy cases are handled by the companion Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Louisiana. Appeals go to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Divisions
Shreveport Division (Shreveport), Lafayette Division (Lafayette), Lake Charles Division (Lake Charles), Alexandria Division (Alexandria), Monroe Division (Monroe)
Caseload
The court sees significant caseloads involving oil and gas litigation, admiralty and maritime claims, and federal criminal matters. Energy-related civil disputes are a recurring feature of the docket given the concentration of the petroleum industry in the region.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the Western District of Louisiana, which generally requires admission to the Louisiana State Bar and compliance with the court's local rules governing admission. Pro hac vice admission is available for attorneys not otherwise eligible for district membership.
Clerk's Office
300 Fannin Street, Suite 1167, Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 676-4273
Active Judges 13
| Name | Appointed By | Confirmed | Law School |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Cain | Donald J. Trump | 2019 | Southern University Law Center |
| Terry Doughty | Donald J. Trump | 2018 | Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center |
| Dee Drell | George W. Bush | 2003 | Tulane University Law School |
| Jerry Edwards | Joseph R. Biden | 2023 | Vermont Law and Graduate School |
| Elizabeth Foote | Barack Obama | 2010 | Louisiana State University Law School (now Paul M. Hebert Law Center) |
| S. Hicks | George W. Bush | 2003 | Louisiana State University Law School (now Paul M. Hebert Law Center) |
| Robert James | William J. Clinton | 1998 | Louisiana State University Law School (now Paul M. Hebert Law Center) |
| David Joseph | Donald J. Trump | 2020 | |
| Tucker Melancon | William J. Clinton | 1994 | Tulane University Law School |
| Robert Summerhays | Donald J. Trump | 2018 | University of Texas School of Law |
| James Trimble | George H.W. Bush | 1991 | Louisiana State University Law School (now Paul M. Hebert Law Center) |
| Alexander Van Hook | Donald J. Trump | 2026 | Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center |
| Donald Walter | Ronald Reagan | 1985 | Louisiana State University Law School (now Paul M. Hebert Law Center) |
Local Rules
The Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, which supplement the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.