Judge Scott U. Schlegel was elected to the bench of the 24th Judicial District Court for the Parish of Jefferson, Division D, State of Louisiana, in May 2013 and was soon thereafter appointed to the Management Committee. He currently serves as the Chair of the Specialty Treatment Court Committee for the 24th JDC and on the legislatively created Drug and Specialty Courts Commission.
Judge Schlegel serves as (1) Chair of the Louisiana Supreme Court Technology Commission; (2) Chair of the Louisiana District Judges Association (LDJA) Technology Committee; (3) Vice-Chair of the LDJA/Department of Corrections Liaison Committee; (4) member of the Louisiana Drug Policy Board; (5) member of the Executive Board of the LDJA; (6) member of the Council of Specialty Court Judges of the Louisiana Supreme Court; and (7) member of the Louisiana State Law Institute’s Criminal Code & Code of Criminal Procedure Committee.
As a District Court Judge, Judge Schlegel handles a variety of cases, including criminal, civil and domestic. Judge Schlegel also serves as a volunteer judge for two specialty courts he started in Jefferson Parish; Swift & Certain Probation and Reentry Court. Judge Schlegel works tirelessly to improve the justice system. He has written and spoken about these critical improvements to the justice system on many occasions.
Judge Schlegel was recently featured on the cover of the American Bar Association Journal and named a 2021 Legal Rebel. Judge Schlegel has also been awarded the (1) American Legal Technology Award – Court Innovation; (2) Kevin Kane Justice Award from the Louisiana Family Forum; (3) Louisiana State Bar Association’s Citizen Lawyer Award; (4) Public Service Award from the Gillis Long Poverty Center, Loyola University College of Law; (5) the Outstanding Service Award from the Louisiana District Judges Association; and (6) Business Retention & Expansion Award from the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO).
Judge Schlegel is a graduate of the prestigious Presidential Leadership Scholars program where he was afforded the opportunity to learn from national leaders, including President George W. Bush and President Bill Clinton.
Prior to his election, Judge Schlegel was one of the top felony prosecutors in the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office. He practiced civil law with an emphasis in products liability before becoming a prosecutor. Judge Schlegel graduated with honors from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, where he served as the President of the Student Bar Association.
Judge Schlegel’s extensive experience and dedication to improving the justice system is truly commendable. His many awards and recognition speak to the impact of his work. However, it is important to consider the potential biases that may arise from his previous work as a top felony prosecutor. Nonetheless, his leadership and commitment to specialty courts are valuable contributions to the legal system.