“There ought to be no shortcuts with people’s rights.”
- Judge Henry A. Politz quoted in an article for the Shreveport Times in 1978
Judge Henry A. Politz
The late Judge Henry A. Politz (’59) developed his infamous “Cajun humor” and ability to tell tales of the Bayouland from growing up in Napoleonville, Louisiana. His story-telling abilities served him well as an attorney-turned-judge, and, in 2001, he and the late Professor Emeritus Frank L. Maraist (’58), penned “Louisiana Law: Legends and Laughs.” The book is filled with a collection of tales submitted by fellow judges and attorneys, showcasing the many instructive yet humorous events that occurred in the legal profession in an over 40-year time period.
But Judge Politz learned much more than how to be a prolific narrator from his childhood. Born into a large farming family and losing his father at a young age, he developed a deep sense of work ethic, faith, and a love for all things Louisiana.
Judge Politz would rely on his strong sense of determination often as he pursued his law degree. The beginning of his college journey was interrupted by a tour with the United State Air Force during the Korean War. When he returned home and enrolled at LSU Law, he brought with him a wife and two children. Two more children would join the family by the time he completed his JD. Yet, Judge Politz balanced a full course load, growing family and two part-time jobs, all while managing to earn high honors in law school.
Upon graduation, he joined Booth, Lockard, Jack, Pleasant & LeSage (now Booth Lockard Politz & LeSage, LLC). When he was a trial attorney, Judge Politz went through great lengths to ensure those in need of legal representation were able to obtain it, handling a multitude of pro bono assignments. In addition to his own personal work, Judge Politz developed programs with the American Bar Association and the Shreveport Bar Association to offer legal aid to the community. The Shreveport Prepaid Legal Plan that he helped launch became a pilot program that would be duplicated nationwide.
In 1979, President Jimmy Carter appointed Judge Politz to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He would remain the rest of his career on the federal bench and was appointed Chief Judge in 1992.
Though he intended to return to South Louisiana, the Napoleonville native found himself establishing deep roots with his family in Shreveport. Of his eleven children, three of Judge Politz’s children would go on to practice law. All three graduated from LSU Law. His sons Bennett (’78) and Nyle (’77) currently practice at Booth Lockard Politz & LeSage, LLC in Shreveport. Jane Politz Brandt (’86), a retired partner for Thompson & Knight LLP, was named a Distinguished Achievement honoree by LSU Law in 2018. Judge Politz’s grandson Brandon Politz graduated from the Law Center in 2004.
Judge Politz was admired by his family, friends and colleagues. The Fifth Circuit Reporter published a profile of Judge Politz in 1990. The article captured most of Judge Politz’s life and career, including when the Judge Henry A. Politz Scholarship was established. In recognition of his tenth anniversary on the Fifth Circuit and his outstanding contributions to the legal profession and education, former law clerks “knew that the most appropriate gift we could give him was not one for his personal use, but one that would benefit others.” His friend and former clerks established the scholarship, and the Judge Henry A. Politz Professorship would later be established in his memory.
