On February 13, 1845, Louisiana was reorganized into a single District with one judgeship, by 5 Stat.722,[1] but was again divided into Eastern and the Western Districts on March 3, 1849, by 9 Stat.401.[1] Congress again abolished the Western District of Louisiana and reorganized Louisiana as a single judicial district on July 27, 1866, by 14 Stat.300.[1] On March 3, 1881, by 21 Stat.507, Louisiana was for a third time divided into Eastern and the Western Districts, with one judgeship authorized for each.[1] TheMiddle District was formed from portions of those two Districts on December 18, 1971, by 85 Stat.741.[1]
^Judge Boyce was given a recess appointment by President Taylor.
^Judge Boyce wasnominated by President Taylor but wasappointed to the Court by (i.e., received his commission from) President Fillmore.
^Recess appointment; formally nominated on January 11, 1954, confirmed by the Senate on February 9, 1954, and received commission on February 10, 1954.
Chief judges have administrative responsibilities with respect to their district court. Unlike the Supreme Court, where one justice is specifically nominated to be chief, the office of chief judge rotates among the district court judges. To be chief, a judge must have been in active service on the court for at least one year, be under the age of 65, and have not previously served as chief judge.
A vacancy is filled by the judge highest in seniority among the group of qualified judges. The chief judge serves for a term of seven years, or until age 70, whichever occurs first. The age restrictions are waived if no members of the court would otherwise be qualified for the position.
When the office was created in 1948, the chief judge was the longest-serving judge who had not elected to retire, on what has since 1958 been known assenior status, or declined to serve as chief judge. After August 6, 1959, judges could not become or remain chief after turning 70 years old. The current rules have been in operation since October 1, 1982.
