Term Ends: 2026
Party: D

Judge Elizabeth A. Engolio took office on March 31, 2016 as District Judge for Division “D” in the 18th JDC. Elizabeth Engolio was born and raised in Plaquemine, Louisiana. She is the granddaughter of the late Judge Edward N. Engolio, Sr. She attended St. John School in Plaquemine through the 8th grade. She then attended high school at St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge.

After graduating from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1997, Elizabeth went on to pursue her under-graduate studies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. While attending college, Elizabeth worked as an intern in Washington D.C. for Senator Mary Landrieu. She also worked for the Lafayette Parish District Attorney’s Office from 1998-2001. She graduated Cum Laude in May of 2001, receiving a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Major Interpersonal and Organizational Communication along with a minor in Spanish. Elizabeth was also voted outstanding graduate by her fellow classmates.

Elizabeth then attended Southern University Law Center. She received her Juris Doctorate in May of 2004. While attending law school, she worked as a law clerk for Marionneaux & Marionneaux and for her grandfather, the late Judge Engolio. Shortly after admission to the Louisiana Bar, Elizabeth opened her private civil practice. She also began working as an Assistant District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District. She maintained her private practice and her position with the District Attorney’s Office from 2005-2016.

Through her private civil practice Elizabeth handled an array of cases including, probate matters, contract issues, business cases, personal injury and family law cases. As an Assistant District Attorney, Elizabeth actively worked in all phases of the criminal justice system including participating in the criminal jury system from the initial grand jury hearing all the way through handling post-conviction relief applications. Elizabeth prosecuted numerous felony cases, drug asset forfeiture cases, misdemeanors, juvenile cases and drug cases. She also handled many aspects of the appeals process for the DA’s office, including writ applications and post-conviction appellate work.

She was appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court to serve on the Judicial Campaign Oversight Committee. She also served on the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center Multi-Disciplinary Team for the 18th JDC, Capital Area Law Enforcement Planning Commission, and Multi-jurisdictional Youth Center Commission.

In 2010 Elizabeth also appeared before the Louisiana legislature to speak in support of Act 744, which suspended time limitations for the institution of trial when a material witness is unavailable due to military service. This Act eventually became Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 709.

Elizabeth has been a member of the Louisiana State Bar since April of 2005. She has also been accepted to practice law in the United States Middle District Court since August of 2005 and the United Stated Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit since September of 2006.

In addition to practicing law, Elizabeth has demonstrated a love for her community through her active service to this community and its residents. She was a youth leader for St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church from 2004-2007 and a member of the Evangelism Team from 2005-2007. She is the treasurer for Strong Hearts charitable organization. She has volunteered her time in service to the Friends of St. Paul Church, Friends of the Plaquemine Locks, We Are the Difference, Westside Visitation Center, the Plaquemine Service League. She also enjoys her membership with the Krewe of Okeanos, the Krewe of Comogo and the YMCA.