Judge seated behind a desk in a courtroom, smiling, with U.S. and state flags behind her.

Tough on Violence, Smart on Justice.

Judge Juana Marine Lombard has spent decades serving the people of New Orleans and Louisiana as an attorney, mediator, judicial commissioner, statewide agency leader, Magistrate Judge, and Chief Judge of Orleans Parish Criminal District Court.

A native of New Orleans East and graduate of Loyola University and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, Judge Lombard built a broad legal career handling criminal, civil, domestic, and juvenile matters. Her experience included serving as a staff attorney with the Orleans Parish Indigent Defender Program and the Capital Defense Project of Southeast Louisiana, as well as service on criminal conflict panels. She is also a licensed mediator.

Her judicial experience began long before she was elected Magistrate Judge. From 2010 to 2016, Judge Lombard served as a Magistrate Commissioner at Criminal District Court, where she performed many of the same critical responsibilities she handles today as Magistrate Judge, including setting bonds and reviewing and signing warrants.

In 2016, Governor John Bel Edwards entrusted Judge Lombard with statewide leadership as Commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. During her service in the Edwards administration, she led a state regulatory and law-enforcement agency and contributed to statewide efforts involving impaired driving, drug policy, human trafficking, and issues affecting Louisiana's children and families.

In 2020, New Orleans voters elected Lombard Magistrate Judge of Criminal District Court, returning her to the court where she had already served for six years as Commissioner. She has now served as Magistrate Judge for nearly six years, handling a demanding docket that requires consequential decisions affecting defendants, victims, families, law enforcement, and public safety every day.

Her fellow judges have also recognized her leadership by selecting her to serve as Chief Judge of Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. That leadership role reflects the confidence of her judicial colleagues in her experience, judgment, and ability to help lead the court.

As Magistrate Judge, Judge Lombard has paired experience with innovation. She established the Magistrate Court's first pretrial and post-conviction domestic violence intervention program and created a misdemeanor mental health court, reflecting her belief that the justice system must protect public safety while recognizing when effective intervention can address the underlying issues that bring people into the criminal justice system.

As Magistrate Judge, Judge Lombard has paired experience with innovation. She established the Magistrate Court's first pretrial and post-conviction domestic violence intervention program and created a misdemeanor mental health court, reflecting her belief that the justice system must protect public safety while recognizing when effective intervention can address the underlying issues that bring people into the criminal justice system.

Throughout her career, Judge Lombard has demonstrated that public safety, accountability, fairness, and compassion can and must work together. Her experience as Commissioner and Magistrate Judge means she does not have to learn how this court works or what the job demands. She has already been doing the work, and doing it effectively, for years.

Judge Juana Lombard is seeking re-election as Magistrate Judge to continue bringing proven judicial experience, steady leadership, sound judgment, and a commitment to fair and efficient justice to the people of New Orleans.

Two people in an office raising hands during a meeting beside a wooden desk.

A Record That Matters

  • Current Magistrate Judge, Criminal District Court
  • Created Magistrate Mental Health Court
  • Created Magistrate Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Court
  • Commissioner of the Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control 
  • Commissioner for the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court 
  • Staff attorney for the Orleans Parish Indigent Defender Program 
  • Staff attorney for the Capitol Defense Project of Southeast Louisiana
  • Licensed mediator with Mediation Arbitration Professional Systems

COMMUNITY

  • Created Human Trafficking Task Force
  • Served on DWI Task Force
  • Served on Drug Policy Task Force
  • Board Member – Girl Scouts of Southeast Louisiana
  • Board Member - Luxury Girls Golf Club
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – Omicron Lambda Omega Chapter
  • Louisiana State Bar Association Client Assistance Committee – Former Member
  • Member – Krewe of Muses
  • Member – Junior League