Source: Press Release from Louisiana Supreme Court
New Orleans, LA – 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 retirement of Justice William J. Crain. Judge Penzato’s appointment will be effective December 22, 2025 through June 30, 2026, or until the vacancy is filled, whichever occurs sooner.
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 juris doctor 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 Division “H” of the 22nd Judicial District Court 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.
Judge Penzato has held numerous leadership roles within the judiciary, including service on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana District Judges Association, as past president and member of the Board of Governors of the Louisiana Judicial College, and currently on the Board of Directors of the First Circuit Judges Association. She has served as a mentor for the Office of Disciplinary Counsel and frequently participates in continuing legal education programs. Active in her community, Judge Penzato is a graduate of Leadership St. Tammany. She is married to Russell Penzato and is the proud mother of two children and grandmother of eight.
Justice Crain retired from the Louisiana Supreme Court effective December 22, 2025, upon his confirmation to a lifetime appointment as a judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Justice Crain will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon.
Justice Crain has served on the Louisiana Supreme Court, First District, since 2019, after previous roles on the First Circuit Court of Appeal and the 22nd Judicial District Court. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting (LSU, 1983) and a Juris Doctor (LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, 1986). He practiced law for 22 years and frequently lectured on trial practice and professionalism. Justice Crain was a member of the inaugural 2011 Louisiana Judicial Leadership Institute, served as Committee Chair for the Louisiana Judicial Council’s court cost committee and is a former president of the Louisiana Judicial College Board of Governors.
