INTERVIEW | ABOUT OUR JUDGE |  PERSONAL
EDUCATION | LEGAL EXPERIENCE | COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT | SPECIAL RECONGNITION | LIFE INFLUENCES | PROFESSIONALISM & CIVILITY | COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS | CONTACT INFORMATION

INTERVIEW

ABOUT OUR JUDGE

On December 6, 1999, Judge Trudy M. White became the first African-American female elected to Division "B" of the Baton Rouge City Court to fill an unexpired one year term. Subsequently, she was twice unopposed for re-election. She began serving a second six-year term on January 1, 2007.

PERSONAL

Judge Trudy has lived all of her life in Baton Rouge except for the four years while she was in undergraduate school. She credits her faith in God and the skills that she gained while pledging Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at Howard University in 1976 with having the strength and ability to overcome life’s obstacles.

She is a single parent of one adopted daughter, Ashley Elizabeth. Her interests include participating in cultural activities such as annual programs on Marcus Garvey and Kwanzaa. Three heroes that she admires are Harriet Tubman, Madame C. J. Walker and Nelson Mandela. 

In addition to professional legal organizations, Judge Trudy holds memberships in McKinley High School Alumni Association; Old South Baton Rouge Partnership, Inc.; Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; American Legion Post 505 Anxiliary; Downtown Toastmasters; and Southern University 6th Man Club. She is a member of Living Faith Christian Center and is active in many of the Church’s ministries. She is also a board member of the Louisiana State Employee’s Retirement System (LASERS).

EDUCATION

A native of Baton Rouge, Judge Trudy graduated from McKinley High School in 1974. She graduated from Howard University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management in 1978, and earned a juris doctorate degree from Louisiana State University Law Center in 1981. She also completed advanced studies at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and Kellogg's School of Management.

LEGAL EXPERIENCE

During her legal career, Judge Trudy served as the chief counsel to the Support Enforcement Services Program where she was instrumental in setting up the involuntary garnishment program for child support, commonly known as Income Assignment.

She served as Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel to the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Former Governors Buddy Roemer and Edwin W. Edwards appointed her to positions in their administration at the Department of Revenue.

Since passing the Louisiana State Bar examination in 1981, she maintained a private practice of law until she was elected to the bench.

Immediately prior to becoming Judge, she was Executive Director of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society’s Pro Bono Program. As Executive Director she was responsible for litigating the legal cases and managing the office. It was as a result of her public service to indigent citizens that the community encouraged her to run for City Court Judge.

In 1998 while employed with the Department of Revenue ("DOR") she was terminated, notwithstanding an unblemished record of state service for more than 15 years. Trudy applied for unemployment benefits and appealed the termination.

The unemployment claim and the Civil Service Appeal were settled some 23 months after the wrongful termination. Trudy was reinstated to her position at the Department of Revenue; awarded back pay; and she then resigned her classified civil service position.

Living through the period after the termination was both a humbling and faith filled experience. With only unemployment benefits of $164 a week for 24 weeks, she was forced to do much of the legal work on the pending legal cases against the DOR. The termination caused Trudy to reexamine her life’s mission. During this time, she rededicated her public service to helping the poor and less fortunate.

Trudy’s first employment after the involuntary termination was with Zion City Community Development Corporation. She was hired as a staff person to oversee the programmatic thrust of this newly created nonprofit community-based organization. During her 1½ year tenure with the Zion City CDC, she was able to coordinate new construction of four houses in this inner city community, that had not seen new family homes in more than 25 years. She also coordinated many social and civic activities for that community.

Her story is chronicled in Tavis Smiley's book, "Keeping the Faith," beginning on page 79. Tavis Smiley received the 2003 NAACP Image Award for this book in the fiction category.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Judge Trudy, often referred to as the "People’s Judge," is an active participant in her community. She is quite familiar with the problems associated with poverty, drugs, lack of opportunity, and hopelessness. She serves as a role model for those in the community who admire and respect her for her community involvement. Judge Trudy brings a unique life experience to the bench.

She speaks to numerous community organizations and church ministries on a regular basis. She allows students to sit with her on the bench or "shadow" her as Judge. She bestows Honorary City Court Judge certificates to students in elementary schools, as well as regular citizens.

Judge Trudy is the impetus behind the production of a historical documentary about the first African-American swimming pool in Baton Rouge. In the 1940's Negro boys were drowning because they had to resort to swimming in the drainage ditches, creeks and the Mississippi River. The documentary is entitled "Baton Rouge's Troubled Waters: Brooks Park and Beyond". It aired on the Louisiana Public Broadcasting Station in February, 2007.

SPECIAL RECONGNITION

On May 30 2008, the YWCA presented Judge Trudy with the coveted Racial Justice Award. The prestigious award recognizes exceptional and creative contributions towards the elimination of racism.

Dale Marioneaux, Co-chair of the YWCA Public Policy Committee, commented that the Baton Rouge's Troubled Waters historical documentary that Judge Trudy researched and wrote, will be used for years to come in its Racial Dialogue program. Marioneaux related Judge Trudy's involvement with discussions with BREC and the YMCA that resulted in a cooperative agreement between BREC and the YMCA to keep the inner city swimming pools open. She also commended Judge Trudy for her  judicial outreach program with bringing inmates to area schools. Judge Trudy remarked that this award and recognition was one of the highlights of her life.

PROFESSIONALISM AND CIVILITY

Judge Trudy prides herself with being courteous, respectful, and civil to lawyers, parties and witnesses. She is punctual in convening court and makes a point to decide all matters presented for decision promptly.

Judge Trudy speaks to numerous community groups and organizations on a regular basis. She manages her docket to attend classrooms or programs in area schools. Any principal, teacher, guidance counselor, or interested person, wanting Judge Trudy to appear may contact her by letter, fax, or e-mail.

Judge Trudy may be available for school graduations. Contact her office by letter, fax, or e-mail to confirm availability. Please also advise if you are requesting Honorary City Court Judge Certificates or Certificates of Appreciation for your graduates or honorees.

In cooperation with Johnnie W. Jones, former Warden of the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women at St. Gabriel, and now Warden Mariana Leger, Judge Trudy tours with women inmates to area schools. The tour is an excellent vehicle for educating students on the criminal justice system.  Since 2002, she has taken the Judicial Outreach educational tour to approximately fifty public and parochial schools in the Baton Rouge area. She was invited to share this Judicial Outreach Program at the annual meeting for Judges in Louisiana in 2004.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Judge Trudy M. White may be contacted as follows:

P. O. Box 3438, Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Phone: (225) 389-3025
Facsimile: (225) 389-7814
email: tmwhite@brgov.com