The Justices of the Louisiana Supreme Court have appointed First Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Allison H. Penzato as justice pro tempore of the Louisiana Supreme Court, First District, to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Justice William
J. Crain. Judge Penzato’s appointment is effective now through June 30, 2026, or until the vacancy is filled, whichever occurs sooner. Justice Crain left the Supreme Court upon being appointed as a U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Judge Allison H. Penzato is a native of Bogalusa. She graduated from Bogalusa High School in 1975 and earned her bachelor’s degree in government from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1977. She received her law degree from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 1981. She served as a law clerk to United States Magistrate Ingard O. Johannesen from 1979-1981.
Judge Penzato was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar in 1981 and practiced law for 26 years, including as a partner with the law firm of Talley, Anthony, Hughes & Knight, LLC.
Judge Penzato was elected to the 22nd Judicial District Court for Washington and St. Tammany parishes in 2009, where she served until 2017, including as Chief Judge from 2014 to 2016. During her tenure, she presided over general jurisdiction cases and a division of adult drug court.
In 2017, she was elected to the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal, where she currently serves.
