Term Ends: 2026
Party: D
Judge Kern A. Reese of Orleans Parish Civil District Court Division “L” has earned the reputation as a fair and temperate jurist. He is recognized for his involvement in professional organizations, as a teacher/coach, a community leader and mentor to youth and aspiring lawyers.
Judge Reese is a graduate of St. Augustine High School, Pomona College in Claremont, California and Loyola University School of Law. Prior to taking the bench in spring 2001, he maintained a solo law practice for 16 years.
Judge Reese has served as an Associate Adjunct Professor of Tulane University School of Law for more than two decades and at Loyola University School of Law for the past four years. Judge Reese has also served as a continuing education instructor and panelist for the Louisiana Bar Association, New Orleans Bar Association, Louisiana Association for Justice, Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, American Board of Trial Advocates, the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Loyola Black Law Students Association and CLE of Louisiana, LLC. During his tenure at Loyola University School of Law, Judge Reese was recruited to coach the Trial Advocacy Team. Under his tutelage this diverse team of hopeful young lawyers won the 2007 National Championship of the American Bar Association’s Criminal Trial Advocacy Competition at the John Jay School of Law in Chicago, Illinois.
Judges Reese is known for his calm demeanor, patience and genuine concern for people, especially young people seeking his counsel or in need of a listening ear. During his twenty-five years as a lawyer, Judge Reese has personally mentored over 100 young people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. His mentees have included potential high school dropouts to young practicing lawyers. He has provided young people opportunities for summer internships and clerkships in his office, often compensating them from his personal resources, when state resources were limited.
As part of his civic and community responsibility, Judge Reese has served on numerous boards and commissions including the Regional Planning Commission, Regional Transit Authority, New Orleans Industrial Development Board and Finance Authority of New Orleans, St. Frances Cabrini Parish School Board, Youth Development Association and Bancroft Park Civic Association. He is also a member of Alpha Alpha Boule, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the Titans of Greater New Orleans.