Kurt D. Engelhardt
Kyle Duncan
Two LSU Law Center graduates – Kyle Duncan and Chief U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt – have been nominated to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Duncan is a 1997 graduate of the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center and practices law in Washington, D.C. Engelhardt, a 1985 graduate, is currently chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
“This is a wonderful day for LSU Law. We are proud to have two graduates nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit,” LSU Law Dean Tom Galligan said. “I had the pleasure of teaching Kyle Duncan, and he was a very fine student while at LSU Law. We are equally honored to have Chief Judge Englehardt nominated in recognition of his distinguished career and service to the judiciary.”
Duncan is former general counsel of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. He also formerly served as Louisiana’s first Solicitor General, representing public officials and the state before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Fifth Circuit, the Louisiana Supreme Court and federal district courts.
Engelhardt joined the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in December 2001 on the nomination of President George W. Bush. He became chief judge of the New Orleans-based court two years ago. Prior to his judicial service, Engelhardt was a partner at the insurance company defense firm of Hailey, McNamara, Hall, Larmann & Papale in Metairie, La.
In addition to Duncan and Engelhardt, President Donald Trump nominated two others – Texas Supreme Court Justice Don R. Willett and former Texas Solicitor General James C. Ho – for spots on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The New Orleans-based 5th Circuit hears appeals from Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi.
