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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 23
BY REPRESENTATIVE BROSSETT
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Chief Justice Johnson on being honored by the Louis A.
Martinet Legal Society, Inc., on her many accomplishments and contributions to the
legal profession
A RESOLUTION1
To commend the Honorable Bernette J. Johnson on being honored by the Greater New2
Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Inc., for becoming the first African3
American to serve as Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court.4
WHEREAS, Justice Bernette J. Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts degree from5
Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, and later received an Honorary Doctorate in Law from6
Spelman in April, 2001; and7
WHEREAS, Justice Johnson was one of the first African American women to attend8
law school at Louisiana State University (LSU), where she received her Juris Doctorate9
degree in 1969; and10
WHEREAS, while in law school, Justice Johnson worked summers for the Legal11
Defense Fund and as a law clerk for the Civil Rights Division of the United States12
Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., handling cases filed by the department to13
implement the 1964 Civil Rights Act; and14
WHEREAS, Justice Johnson also served as a federal observer during elections in15
Greenwood, Mississippi; and16
WHEREAS, after receiving her Juris Doctorate degree, Justice Johnson became the17
managing attorney with the New Orleans Legal Assistance Corporation, where she delivered18
legal services to more than three thousand clients in socioeconomically deprived19
neighborhoods; and20 HLS 13RS-1251 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, prior to her election to the bench, Justice Johnson spent much of her1
legal career working in the public sector as a legal services attorney, a Deputy City Attorney2
for the city of New Orleans, and as a law clerk with the United States Justice Department,3
Civil Rights Division; and4
WHEREAS, Justice Johnson also worked as a community organizer with the5
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Legal Defense and6
Educational Fund in New York City and with community groups in Alabama, Mississippi,7
Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Louisiana, disseminating8
information about recent school desegregation decisions and encouraging parents to take9
advantage of newly desegregated schools; and10
WHEREAS, Justice Johnson also helped to organize household workers so they11
would receive social security benefits and a minimum wage; and12
WHEREAS, Justice Johnson's judicial career began in 1984, when she was elected13
to the Orleans Parish Civil District Court as the first woman to hold that office, and she was14
re-elected without opposition in 1990 before being elected Chief Judge by her colleagues in15
1994; and16
WHEREAS, as a civil trial judge, Justice Johnson was first assigned to Domestic17
Relations Court, where she established a system to refer custody, alimony, and child support18
issues to mediation prior to court appearances and provided that such mediation be provided19
to needy families based on a sliding scale system for payment of fees; and20
WHEREAS, Justice Johnson was elected to serve on the Louisiana Supreme Court21
in 1994 and was re-elected without opposition in 2000; and22
WHEREAS, Justice Johnson serves on the Louisiana Supreme Court's Judicial23
Council, has served on the Court's Legal Services Task Force, has served on the National24
Campaign on Best Practices in the area of Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Court, and has25
worked closely with the Court's Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Committee and the26
Committee on Bar Admissions; and27
WHEREAS, Justice Johnson provided extraordinary leadership to the Louisiana28
Judiciary in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina by facilitating the efforts to restore the29
operations of all courts in the New Orleans area; and30 HLS 13RS-1251 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, during her tenure on the Louisiana Supreme Court, Justice Johnson has1
diversified the Committee on Bar Admissions by increasing minority participation and2
leadership on that committee; and3
WHEREAS, Justice Johnson organized the first Continuing Legal Education (CLE)4
program for the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, was chair of the CLE Committee, and was5
given the Martinet's President Award in 1997 and 2008; and6
WHEREAS, Justice Johnson is a Fleur De Lis member of the New Orleans Bar7
Association, is active with several committees of the Louisiana State Bar Association8
(LSBA), and was presented with the LSBA's President Award in 2005 for her work as9
cochair of the Diversity Committee; and10
WHEREAS, in 1998, Justice Johnson chaired the National Bar Association Judicial11
Council, served a term as secretary, and is currently a member of the A.P. Tureaud Inns of12
Court, the Louisiana State Law Institute, and the National Association of Women Judges,13
serving as a district director, and is active with the Women in Prison Project; and14
WHEREAS, in 1996, Justice Johnson's portrait was unveiled as she was inducted into15
the LSU Law Center Hall of Fame; and16
WHEREAS, Justice Johnson is the proud parent of a son and a daughter: David, an17
accountant who lives in Atlanta with his family, and Rachael, who is an attorney licensed18
to practice law in Florida and Louisiana; and19
WHEREAS, on April 6, 2013, at its annual gala, the Greater New Orleans Louis A.20
Martinet Legal Society, Inc., honored Justice Johnson for becoming the first African21
American to serve as Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court; and22
WHEREAS, Justice Johnson merits a special measure of commendation for the23
tremendous pride and honor that she brings to the state of Louisiana.24
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana House of Representatives of25
the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the Honorable Bernette J. Johnson on26
being honored by the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Inc., on27
becoming the first African American to serve as Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme28
Court, does hereby record for posterity her noteworthy ascension in the legal field and her29 HLS 13RS-1251 ORIGINAL
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outstanding contributions to both the legal profession and her fellow citizens, and extends1
to her best wishes for continued success and happiness in all future endeavors.2
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be3
transmitted to Chief Justice Bernette J. Johnson.4
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Brossett HR No. 23
Commends Chief Justice Bernette J. Johnson on her recognition by the Louis A. Martinet
Legal Society, Inc. for become the first African American to serve as Chief Justice of the La.
Supreme Court and for her many accomplishments.