James Genovese

James T. "Jimmy" Genovese
21st President of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana
Incumbent
Assumed office  August 2024 (investiture October 25)
Preceded by	Marcus D. Jones
Associate Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court (Place 3)
In office January 1, 2017 – August 4, 2024
Preceded by	Jeannette Theriot Knoll
Succeeded by	Vacant
Judge of the Louisiana 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal (Division B)
In office January 1, 2005 – January 1, 2017
Succeeded by	Van Kyzar
Judge for the 27th Judicial District Court
In office 1995–2004
Born	August 24, 1949 (age 75) Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
Political party	Democrat-turned-Republican-turned "No Party"
Spouse(s)	Martha Anne Janes Heyl Genovese
Children	Sarah E. Genovese Adrienne Renee Genovese Stephanie Genovese Celeste Genovese Elizabeth Heyl Gillen (stepdaughter)
Alma mater	Academy of the Immaculate Conception Northwestern State University Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans
Occupation	Judge; Attorney
Religion	Roman Catholic

James T. Genovese, known as Jimmy Genovese (born August 24, 1949), is the 21st president of his alma mater, Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Republican Governor Jeff Landry voiced approval for Genovese's selection.

Formerly, Genovese was one of the seven justices of the Louisiana Supreme Court, which convenes in New Orleans. Running as a Republican from Opelousas in St. Landry Parish in south Louisiana, he was first elected to the court for a ten-year term on November 8, 2016, to succeed the retiring Democrat Jeannette Theriot Knoll of Marksville in Avoyelles Parish south of Alexandria. To win his seat on the high court, Genovese narrowly defeated Marilyn Carr Castle (born January 2, 1953), a 15th Judicial District Court judge from Lafayette, 133,389 (50.9 percent) to 128,598 (49.1 percent).

Background

Genovese graduated in 1967 from the Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Opelousas and in 1971 received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern State University, where he was recognized for both academics and athletics. As a NSU undergraduate, he was named in Who’s Who Among Universities and Colleges, Who’s Who Among Greek Fraternities and Sororities of America and Outstanding College Athletes of America. For all four years, he lettered in tennis. He was the president of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and was involved with Interfraternity Council, Student Government Association, and intramurals. In 2018, he was inducted into the Long Purple Line, the university’s alumni hall of distinction. In 1974, he received his Juris Doctorate from the Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans.

Career

Genovese launched his law practice in Acadiana and remained in private practice from 1974 to 1995. He was a past president, vice president and secretary-treasurer of the St. Landry Parish Bar Association. He is a member of the Louisiana, Colorado, and American bar associations. He is admitted to the bar in all state and federal courts in Louisiana, including the United States Supreme Court though he no longer practices law.

Genovese’s judicial career began as a judge ad hoc of the Opelousas City Court from 1974 to 1989. He was elected district judge of the 27th Judicial District Court for St. Landry Parish in 1995 and served in that capacity through 2004. On November 2, 2004, he was elected as a Democrat to the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal, Division B, based in Lake Charles, on which he served from January 1, 2005, until his swearing in for the Supreme Court seat on January 1, 2017. In the 2004 contest, he defeated a Republican candidate, Paul deMahy, 82 to 18 percent.He ran unopposed for another ten-year term on the circuit court in 2014. From 1995 to 2004, he was a Democrat judge for the 27th Judicial District.

Genovese has been a panelist, speaker and lecturer at conferences and continuing education seminars on topics such as professionalism, ethics, summary judgment, writs, appeals, practices and procedures of the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal. The state Supreme Court appointed him to serve on the Juvenile Justice Reform Act Implementation Commission. He is a board member of the Supreme Court of Louisiana Historical Society.

On February 15, 2018, the Louisiana Secretary of State listed Genovese as a "No Party" voter. He presumably defected from the Republican Party after his election to the Supreme Court.