In 1969, Swearingen received his [[Juris Doctor]]ate degree from [[Tulane University]] Law School in [[New Orleans]]. He then practiced law for twenty-two years in Monroe while he also served as a state senator.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.123people.com/ext/frm?ti=person%20finder&search_term=cherrie%20walker&search_country=US&st=person%20finder&target_url=http%3A%2F%2Flrd.yahooapis.com%2F_ylc%3DX3oDMTVnZmI1dDc1BF9TAzIwMjMxNTI3MDIEYXBwaWQDc1k3Wlo2clYzNEhSZm5ZdGVmcmkzRUx4VG5makpERG5QOWVKV1NGSkJHcTJ1V1dFa0xVdm5IYnNBeUNyVkd5Y2REVElUX2tlBGNsaWVudANib3NzBHNlcnZpY2UDQk9TUwRzbGsDdGl0bGUEc3JjcHZpZAMxNG03NVdLSWNycFFiQm5VckJ1bnVvNXVXODV4V1V0T21aQUFEbV9B%2FSIG%3D11dt50tr4%2F**http%253A%2F%2Fwww.ulm.edu%2Fthebayou%2Fthebayou.pdf§ion=biography&wrt_id=110|title=’’The Bayou: The History and Traditions of the University of Louisiana at Monroe’’|publisher=123people.com|accessdate=January 14, 2010}}</ref> | In 1969, Swearingen received his [[Juris Doctor]]ate degree from [[Tulane University]] Law School in [[New Orleans]]. He then practiced law for twenty-two years in Monroe while he also served as a state senator.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.123people.com/ext/frm?ti=person%20finder&search_term=cherrie%20walker&search_country=US&st=person%20finder&target_url=http%3A%2F%2Flrd.yahooapis.com%2F_ylc%3DX3oDMTVnZmI1dDc1BF9TAzIwMjMxNTI3MDIEYXBwaWQDc1k3Wlo2clYzNEhSZm5ZdGVmcmkzRUx4VG5makpERG5QOWVKV1NGSkJHcTJ1V1dFa0xVdm5IYnNBeUNyVkd5Y2REVElUX2tlBGNsaWVudANib3NzBHNlcnZpY2UDQk9TUwRzbGsDdGl0bGUEc3JjcHZpZAMxNG03NVdLSWNycFFiQm5VckJ1bnVvNXVXODV4V1V0T21aQUFEbV9B%2FSIG%3D11dt50tr4%2F**http%253A%2F%2Fwww.ulm.edu%2Fthebayou%2Fthebayou.pdf§ion=biography&wrt_id=110|title=’’The Bayou: The History and Traditions of the University of Louisiana at Monroe’’|publisher=123people.com|accessdate=January 14, 2010}}</ref> |