---
title: "James McKay | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-mckay-7437"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# James McKay

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, 1998-present
- Circuit Judge · Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal · 1998 · 2022
- James F. McKay III was a prominent Louisiana judge who served on the Louisiana 4th Circuit Court of Appeal from 1998 until his retirement in January 2022, and was also Chief Judge of that court from 2013
- In 1998, he was elected to the Louisiana 4th Circuit Court of Appeal and subsequently became Chief Judge in 2013
- 1982–1998: Judge on the Criminal District Court bench in Orleans Parish
- Chief Prosecutor · Metro - Attorney General · 1978 · 1982
- Assistant District Attorney · Orleans Parish · 1974 · 1978

### Education

- Loyola University New Orleans College of Law — J.D. (1974)
- B.A. in History (with minors in English and Political Science) from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1969, and his J.D. from Loyola University School of Law in 1974

### Additional information

- Retired on January 3, 2022
- McKay served on the Board of Governors of the American Judges Association, including as President in 2009.
- He received the Judge William H. Burnett Award from the American Judges Association in 2007.
- McKay was a native of New Orleans, graduating from De La Salle High School in 1964.
- Probation and Parole Officer
- handling major felonies
- He was a member of the American Bar Association, Louisiana State Bar Association, Fourth and Fifth Circuit Judges Association, and other professional organizations
- Birth place: South Pasadena, California

## 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/7437/james-mckay/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7437/james-mckay/)
- [Louisiana Court of Appeal current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7437/james-mckay/)
- [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/7437/james-mckay/)
- [James C. McKay, Esquire](https://dcchs.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/james-c-mckay-complete-oral-history.pdf)

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