---
title: "Gene Thibodeaux | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gene-thibodeaux-7458"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Gene Thibodeaux

Louisiana Court of Appeal · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal
- State: Louisiana
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Louisiana Court of Appeal, 1992-present
- Circuit Judge · Third Circuit Court of Appeal · 1992 · 2021-01-01 · Chief Judge 2012-2021, Chief 2004-2021 per combined records
- Judge Thibodeaux held the role of Chief Judge of the Third Circuit Court of Appeal from 2004 until his retirement in 2020
- Founding Partner · Newman & Thibodeaux · 1980 · 1992
- Elected to the court in 1992 and had previously held positions including assistant district attorney (1976–1979) and private practice with Newman & Thibodeaux (1979–1992).
- Assistant District Attorney · Calcasieu Parish · 1976 · 1979
- Attorney · NAACP Legal Defense Fund · NYC · 1975 · 1976

### Education

- Tulane University Law School — Earl Warren Scholar — J.D. (1975)
- Dartmouth College — Government — B.A. (1971)
- Tulane University of Louisiana — J.D.

### Additional information

- Judge A. Leon Higginbotham Award (2010) for Judicial Excellence
- He also served on the Lake Charles City Court in 1984
- He graduated summa cum laude from Dartmouth College in 1971
- His career reflects a dedication to judicial integrity, civil rights, and community empowerment, leaving a lasting impact on Louisiana’s legal and social systems
- Thibodeaux was Past President of the National Council of Chief Judges and chaired the Louisiana Supreme Court Task Force on Judicial Independence.
- He co-chaired the Louisiana Supreme Court Task Force on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts.
- He also served on the Louisiana Judicial Compensation Commission and the Advisory Committee to the Louisiana Supreme Court for Revision of the Code of Judicial Conduct

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### electronic or photographic presentation of evidence

Scope: statewide

Louisiana trial judges may authorize electronic or photographic means for presenting evidence, preserving the record, counsel use, or judicial-administration purposes.

Evidence excerpt: A trial judge may authorize ... the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidence

[Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3A(9)](https://www.lasc.org/Court_Rules?p=CJC)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### broadcast recording photography

Scope: statewide

Louisiana judges generally prohibit broadcasting, televising, recording, or photographing courtroom proceedings unless a Canon 3A(9) exception applies.

Evidence excerpt: a judge shall prohibit broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking photographs in the courtroom

[Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3A(9)](https://www.lasc.org/Court_Rules?p=CJC)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### appellate extended media coverage

Scope: statewide

Louisiana appellate courts may permit extended media coverage in public appellate proceedings, subject to the authority of the court and presiding judge or panel.

Evidence excerpt: An appellate court may permit broadcasting, televising, recording, and taking photographs of public judicial proceedings

[Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3A(9)](https://www.lasc.org/Court_Rules?p=CJC)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7458/gene-thibodeaux/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7458/gene-thibodeaux/)
- [Louisiana Court of Appeal current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7458/gene-thibodeaux/)
- [Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3A(9)](https://www.lasc.org/Court_Rules?p=CJC)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7458/gene-thibodeaux/)

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