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Jefferson Bar Association

Young Lawyers Division
3115 Metairie Road
Metairie, Louisiana 70001
(504) 313-6640
info@jeffersonbar.com
www.jeffersonbar.com

WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM THE JEFFERSON BAR ASSOCIATION, YOUNG
LAWYERS DIVISION

For the following reasons, with support from other members of the bar, the Jefferson Bar
Association, Young Lawyers Division nominates the Hon. June Berry Darensburg as the 2023
recipient for the Hon. Catherine D. Kimball Award for the Advancement of the Administration
of Justice.

• While working as a part time Pharmacist, Judge Darensburg completed her law degree
at Loyola University College of Law. Her career as a pharmacist, lawyer, and judge all
have one thing in common: a commitment of service to the public.

• After graduating from law school, she worked in private practice and was employed by
the Jefferson Parish Indigent Defender Board providing legal service to those unable to
afford representation.

• Judge Darensburg is the first African American female to be elected to a judgeship in
Jefferson Parish and the first African American female to serve as the Chief Judge of the
th
24 Judicial District Court.
• Judge Darensburg has always encouraged attorneys of unrepresented/under-represented
groups to reach their career and personal potential.
• Judge Darensburg consistently welcomes young lawyers and students interested in law
to come into her courtroom for advice in their careers. Most young lawyers know that
Judge has an open door policy.
• Judge Darensburg acts as a mentor for newly admitted judges as well. A few judges she
has mentored include the Honorable Monique Barial and the Honorable Ellen Hazeur.

• Judge Darensburg is the immediate past Chairperson of LJC/NBA, an organization that
focuses on achieving eradication of racial and any invidious bias from every aspect of
the judicial process.

• For several years, Judge Darensburg has hosted the Leadership Jefferson Governance
session, an organization that works to give participants an up-close look at the parish’s
political structure and to de-mystify and educate on local government.

• Judge Darensburg is the only judge at the 24th JDC that rotates her law clerks every two
years. She does this to offer recent law school graduates and newly admitted attorneys
an opportunity for access to the judicial system. It is Judge’s opinion that new attorneys
could benefit from learning the ropes of a judicial system before they enter the practice