--- title: "Patrick Hanna | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/patrick-hanna-9276" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Patrick Hanna U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana · Magistrate ## Profile - Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana - State: Louisiana - Role: Magistrate - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Patrick J. Hanna was a federal magistrate judge serving on the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana from 2009 until his retirement in 2022 - court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana · role: United States Magistrate Judge · start date: 2009 · end date: 2022 · notes: Full-time magistrate judge - It lists maritime practice at Onebane and founding Rabalais, Hanna & Hays in 1994, later Rabalais, Hanna & Hebert - In 1994, he was a founding partner of the law firm Rabalais, Hanna & Hays, where he remained until his judicial appointment ### Education ### Additional information - Magistrate, District Court, W.D. Louisiana, 2009-present - Retired in 2022 - His rulings spanned 2010–2022 and included both final dispositions and recommendations adopted by district judges - It records magistrate appointment in December 2009 and retirement in 2022. - Appointed in December 2009 to the Lafayette Division of the Western District of Louisiana and served for 13 years. - The collected biographical information identifies Coast Guard service, Southwestern Louisiana political science bachelor’s (1984), LSU JD (1987) and Vermont Law environmental study (1992). - Before joining the judiciary, Hanna practiced maritime law in Lafayette, Louisiana, and later environmental law after attending Vermont Law School. - handling a wide range of civil and criminal matters, including pre-indictment functions, many post-indictment matters, and certain civil proceedings. - handling maritime, construction and environmental work. - Roles include Louisiana Bar Foundation fellow, Federal Magistrate Judges Association Fifth Circuit board representative, security chair and legislative committee. - Patrick J. Hanna’s career combined military service, legal practice, and judicial service, with a focus on maritime and environmental law before his role on the federal bench. - His continued involvement in the Federal Magistrate Judges’ Association reflects his ongoing engagement in judicial governance - Admissions include Louisiana, Texas, Fourth/Fifth Circuits and Supreme Court. - It mentions AV peer ratings and Martindale/Avvo awards without naming all awards. ## 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/9276/patrick-hanna/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9276/patrick-hanna/) - [U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9276/patrick-hanna/) - [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/9276/patrick-hanna/) - [Supplied Louisiana biography research](https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/patrick-hanna-9276) - [Supplied Louisiana biography research](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/cjra_na_0331.2026.pdf#page=42) - [Supplied Louisiana biography research](https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/district-court-contacts) - [Supplied Louisiana biography research](https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/node/70) - [Supplied Louisiana biography research](https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla/pr/us-attorneys-office-recognizes-western-district-louisiana-veterans) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9276/patrick-hanna/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/patrick-hanna-9276", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/patrick-hanna-9276", "name": "Patrick Hanna | KnowJudges", "description": "Patrick Hanna, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. 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Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-civil-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, December 1, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-8721a344fececced2257fe1d) — Criminal proceedings in United States District Courts; this conservative mapping does not distribute appellate-specific provisions to appellate judges. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-criminal-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.