History of the Clerk of Court
Jefferson Parish was created in 1825. Its first Clerk of Court was elected in 1846. In 1879, the Clerk’s duties were extended beyond court administration. The clerk of the district court also became the register of conveyances, the recorder of mortgages, and the custodian of the notarial archives. Years later, the district court became the 24th Judicial District Court, which lies exclusively in Jefferson Parish. Additional courts were added by subsequent legislation.
Today, the Clerk of Court has various duties: (1) Clerk of the 24th Judicial District Court; (2) Clerk of the First and Second Parish Courts; (3) Clerk of the Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court; (4) Jefferson Parish register of conveyances, recorder of mortgages, and custodian of the notarial archives; (5) Jefferson Parish jury manager; (6) member of the Jefferson Parish Jury Commission; (7) Jefferson Parish’s chief elections officer; (8) member of the Jefferson Parish Board of Election Supervisors; and (9) Jefferson Parish evidence custodian.
Clerks of Court
- Jon A. GegenheimerJuly 1, 1988 – Present
- Raoul A. “Skip” Galan, Jr.July 1, 1984 – June 30, 1988
- William M. “Bill” Justice, Jr.June 1, 1956 – June 30, 1984
- William L. Klause, Jr.June 2, 1952 – May 31, 1956
- Vic A. PitreMay 31, 1928 – June 1, 1952
- Frank J. ClancyMay 31, 1920 – May 30, 1928
- Charles W. RossnerMay 28, 1908 – May 30, 1920
- John R. Langridge 1January 15, 1903 – May 27, 1908
- John C. Tillotson 2June 1, 1892 – January 10, 1903
- William L. LangridgeJune 1, 1888 – May 31, 1892
- James C. BaumannMay 29, 1884 – May 31, 1888
- Scott EllisonFebruary 15, 1880 – May 28, 1884
- Ernest A. HubeauJuly 30, 1876 – February 14, 1880
- Henry L. BurnsNovember 19, 1870 – July 29, 1876
- William KernJuly 14, 1868 – November, 1870
- Robert L. PrestonFebruary 15, 1867 – July 13, 1868
- Robert Morris 2March 29, 1865 – February 14, 1868
- Edward Buisson1853 – March 28, 1865
- Francis J. Laizer1846 – 1853
1 Appointed by governor to fill vacancy. 2 Died in office.
Source: Jefferson Parish Politicians of the Past & Present: 1825–2001 by Frank J. Borne, Jr.