Judge, Civil District Court, Division A - Runoff

League of Women Voters^®
of New Orleans

Judge, Civil District Court, Division A - Runoff

Tiffany Gautier Chase - Winner. Suzette Peychaud Bagneris.

Tiffany Gautier Chase - Winner

NAME: Tiffany Gautier Chase
CAMPAIGN WEB ADDRESS: http://www.chase4judge.com
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION:
Address: 338 Lafayette Street New Orleans, LA 70130 or
P O Box 53283 New Orleans, LA 70153
Phone: (504)523-1682 (Calais Coulon)
FAX: (504)866-6249
E-mail: tiffany@chase4judge.com
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS:
Louisiana State Democratic Central Committee - District 82A
- Metropolitan Area Committee, Leadership Forum - Fellow
- Loyola Institute of Politics - Fellow
- Committee of 21 - Executive Board and Past President
PROFESSION: Attorney
PRESENT EMPLOYER/POSITION (if self-employed, what type of business)
Martzell and Bickford, APLC - Associate
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION (include graduation date):
Juris Doctorate, Loyola University New Orleans - 1996
APPLICABLE TRAINING:
- Louisiana Supreme Court - Law Clerk/Research Attorney to the Honorable Chet D. Traylor
- Martzell and Bickford APLC - Attorney
- Ungarino and Eckert LLC - Attorney
- Louisiana Bar Association Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Committee
- Taught judicial continuing education courses: 4th and 5th Circuit Judges Conferences (Washington, D.C. 2004) and Spring Judges Conference (Lafayette, LA 1998)
CIVIC EXPERIENCE:
- New Orleans Bar Association, Minority Involvement Committee - Past-Co-Chair
- Carrollton/Hollygrove Senior Citizens Center - Board of Directors
- Alliance for Community Theater - Past President
- Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Young Lawyers Section - Past President
- New Orleans Teen Court - Judge
- New Orleans Healthy Family Center - Board Member
- New Orleans African American Museum - Board Member
- New Orleans Medical Reserve Corps - Legal Council
- Louisiana State Bar Journal Editorial Board - Former Board Member
1. Why do you think you are particularly qualified to be a District Court Judge?
My professional experiences uniquely qualify me to serve as a Civil District Court Judge. As a practicing attorney, I have represented clients' interests regarding a wide variety of issues including contractual disputes, insurance coverage, personal injury claims, oil and gas royalty disputes, and medical malpractice claims. I prepared cases from the preliminary stages of filing a petition, through trial, and to the appellate court. This experience taught me the intricacies of litigation, which as a judge will assist me in aiding the parties through the progression of the trial process.
I have also worked as a Law Clerk and Research Attorney for the Louisiana Supreme Court. My work with the Court afforded me the opportunity to gain valuable insight of the daily decision making processes of a judge. I objectively analyzed cases, researched and drafted definitive decisions by concisely applying the law; all essential components of the duties of a judge. My experience with the Louisiana Supreme Court provided me with the best, real-world mentoring and training available for a judicial candidate. I was able to observe first-hand the proper temperament needed to be a fair and effective judge as well as participate in the decision making process of a judge. I truly understand the necessity of making prompt decisions and the importance of objectivity and impartiality in the judicial process.
Why I want to be a District Court Judge in Orleans Parish?
I have been a resident of Orleans Parish my entire life and as a citizen of this great city I value the creativity and conviction of the people here. It is personally important to me that our judicial system provides the citizens with the objectivity and professionalism required to handle their sensitive civil issues, especially with the influx of litigation which has resulted from the Hurricane Katrina. I am qualified to be a judge in District Court because not only do I possess the necessary experience to be a fair and effective judge, but I am also a dedicated and compassionate citizen of Orleans Parish.
2. How many years of courtroom experience do you have?
I have 10 years of courtroom experience from both sides of the bench; four (4) years as a trial attorney litigating civil cases, and six (6) years as a Law Clerk and Research Attorney for the Louisiana Supreme Court. As a practicing attorney, I have extensively argued various motions before the court, handling pre-trial conferences, settlement conferences, and trials. As a Research Attorney with the Supreme Court, one of my responsibilities included preparing the judge for oral arguments by researching the issues and drafting pertinent questions which were then posed to attorneys during their presentations to the court.
Overall, my courtroom experience has allowed me to be directly engaged in the legal process from both sides of the bench, further enhancing my understanding of the legal principles and the analysis required for the decision-making process to be effective.
3. Considering you will initially be assigned to the District Court's domestic docket, what experience will you draw upon to make impartial decisions in family court?
I will draw upon my years of education, and personal and professional experiences to apply the law objectively. My education and experience within the court system have taught me the importance of being objective and impartial.
As a volunteer with youth and family organizations in our community, I understand that Family Court issues are deeply rooted in our community's most emotional, sensitive and delicate subject matters. I know how difficult divorce can be and understand that the sole objective when dealing with domestic cases should be to maintain a sense of solidarity for the children. Regardless of the financial status of the parents, my primary concern is to support and protect the welfare of children. I will utilize my personal experiences to be compassionate and sensitive to the challenges of families facing various domestic issues.
4. Have any complaints to the bar been filed against you and, if so, how were they resolved?
No.

Suzette Peychaud Bagneris

NAME: Suzette Peychaud Bagneris
CAMPAIGN WEB ADDRESS: http://www.votebagneris4judge.com
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION:
Address: 291 English Turn Drive
Phone: 368-1911
FAX: 368-9116
E-mail: bagneriscampaign@aol.com
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS:
Volunteered in other political campaigns. Hold no memberships in political organizations.
PROFESSION: Attorney
PRESENT EMPLOYER/POSITION (if self-employed, what type of business)
Senior Attorney, Bagneris Law Firm
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION (include graduation date): Juris Doctorate, Loyola University School of Law May 1993
APPLICABLE TRAINING: Areas of practice over the past thirteen years include: Domestic Relations, Personal Injury, Class Action/Mass Tort Cases, Toxic Exposure, Maritime & Offshore, Wrongful Death/Survival Actions, Medical Malpractice, Products Liability, Slip & Fall, Premises Liability, Automobile Accidents, Corporate Law, Commercial Transactions, Real Estate Closings
CIVIC EXPERIENCE:
1. Why do you think you are particularly qualified to be a District Court Judge?
There is no substitute for meaningful experience and that is what I will bring to the bench. The next judge in this division must have the ability to move the docket by hearing cases and resolving issues. I am confident that my years of practicing and actually trying cases in Civil District Court will enable me to "hit the ground running" without a significant learning curve. This level of experience will enable me to provide what so many citizens feel that we so desperately need: strong and decisive leadership. District Court judges must also be very organized. My practice, particularly in the area of class action/mass tort claims has required that handled thousands of files simultaneously. This is a necessary skill for a judge who is expected to manage a large docket efficiently. In my career, I have been fortunate to learn a great deal not simply in the classroom or as a law clerk, but by being in the trenches and working tirelessly in the court where I hope to serve. In so many ways, I have been training for this job for the past thirteen years.
2. How many years of courtroom experience do you have?
Thirteen
3. Considering you will initially be assigned to the District Court's domestic docket, what experience will you draw upon to make impartial decisions in family court?
I am honored to be a wife and mother of three beautiful daughters. To that end, I understand from experience the rigors of maintaining a nurturing family unit. It is very clear to me that protecting the health, safety, and welfare of minor children is at the center of the domestic docket. My life experience tells me that each case is different and that as a judge I have the responsibility to gather as much information as possible to make the best decision for a family. I have also handled cases in the domestic arena. This has served to give me a knowledge and understanding of the law that I will need to apply. I am confident that my professional and life experience have equipped me well to make sound decisions.
4. Have any complaints to the bar been filed against you and, if so, how were they resolved?
Given my experience in class action litigation, I have successfully handled over 50,000 individual claims with only four bar complaints that were investigated and dismissed as being without merit.

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