Terri Love is the new chief judge of the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, following the retirement of former chief judge James F. McKay III. After serving on the Orleans Parish Civil District Court bench since 1995, she joined the Fourth Circuit. Love officially assumed her new role on Jan. 4, 2022.
“I look forward to utilizing my 26 years of judicial experience to lead the court as we safely navigate the pandemic and continue our digital transformation for an environmentally sustainable future,” Love said. “I am committed to ensuring that all matters are handled justly and efficiently. I am also extremely proud to take on this role as a representative of my alma mater, Jackson State University, Thee I Love.”
Love is the senior member of the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and one of the longest-serving African Americans on the bench.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from Jackson State University in 1983 and juris doctor from Tulane University Law School in 1986.
Additionally, Love earned a master of laws in the judicial process from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2004.
She participated in the Institute of Judicial Administration at New York University School of Law in 2001; George Mason School of Law in 2002; and the International Judicial Academy, The Hague, Netherlands in 2007.
Love is the past judicial committee chair of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society and a member of the National Bar Association; American Judges Association; National Association of Women Judges; the American Bar Association Appellate Judges Conference; New Orleans Bar Association; and the Louisiana State Bar Association.
She enjoys volunteerism and spends a vast amount of time engaging in community service activities.
Love has chaired the City of New Orleans’ annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday planning commission. She is also a certified instructor and active member of the Louisiana Center for Law and Civic Education.
Additionally, she has served as the activity director for the Senior Citizens Ministry at her church, the Greater Saint Stephens Full Gospel Baptist Church. Moreover, Love is an active member of the Omicron Lambda Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and is a board member of the Amistad Research Center.
She is married to Ellria Love, and they have two children.
Media contact: LaToya Moore, latoya.c.hentz@jsums.edu