---
title: "James R. Dawkins | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-r-dawkins-7377"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# James R. Dawkins

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, 1953-present
- Circuit Judge · Second Circuit Court of Appeal · 1953 · 1970 · Born Farmerville 1900
- After a brief legal partnership with his brother Herbert E. Dawkins in Monroe, he practiced law alone in Farmerville until his election as District Judge in 1953 to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Judge E.L. Walker.
- Pharmacist, lawyer, Mayor of Farmerville, District Judge, Louisiana Court of Appeal judge
- He subsequently became a judge of the Louisiana Court of Appeal, a position he held for over 70 years

### Education

- Registered Druggist — Atlanta College of Pharmacy — 1922
- Pre-legal — Louisiana State University — 1919
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College — J.D.

### Additional information

- City Attorney · Union Parish · 1930 · 1953
- Practitioner, 1952-1952
- legis, 1952-1952
- During his career, Dawkins held the role of city attorney for every municipality in Union Parish and was Mayor of Farmerville for a four‐year term during the 1930s Depression.
- LL.B. — LSU Law Center — 1928 — Valedictorian
- Pharmacist · Monroe / Ruston · 1922 · 1925
- Date of birth: 1901-07-03
- His work contributed significantly to Louisiana’s legal history, and his leadership in local governance and civic life left a lasting mark
- He was active in the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, Mu Sigma Rho scholastic fraternity, and various civic and bar associations

## 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/7377/james-r-dawkins/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7377/james-r-dawkins/)
- [Louisiana Court of Appeal current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7377/james-r-dawkins/)
- [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/7377/james-r-dawkins/)

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