Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Piper D. Griffin (’87) receiving the American Judges Association 2023 President’s Award from AJA President Judge Yvette M. Alexander (’79) at the AJA 2023 Annual Conference.
For her outstanding service to the American Judges Association, Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Piper D. Griffin, a graduate of the Class of 1987, received the 2023 President’s Award at the AJA 62nd Annual Conference. AJA President Judge Yvette M. Alexander, who also graduated from LSU Law in 1979, presented Griffin with the award.
“I am honored to receive the 2023 AJA President’s Award and to be acknowledged along with my colleagues from Louisiana by this association which, while facilitating judicial camaraderie, provides for collaborative leadership, networking, and access to continued educational resources from judicial peers from throughout the United States,” said Griffin.
Griffin serves on the AJA Board of Governors and was elected secretary for the 2023-2024 year. She also chairs the AJA Diversity Committee and will co-host the 2024 American Judges Association 63rd Annual Conference in New Orleans with Alexander.
AJA is the largest independent, judge-only, member-driven organization in North America. Members include present and former judges of courts of all jurisdictions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the Virgin Islands.
Griffin also expressed her excitement for the AJA’s new “Courts in the Community Initiative,” which allows AJA members to provide assistance and support through contributions made to communities where AJA events take place. This year, the AJA chose to support the U.S. Vets Wai’Anae in Hawaii, which is a shelter for military veterans and the homeless but has also been aiding those in need affected by the Maui wildfires. AJA members contributed a total of 200 bags of needed items.
Griffin began her legal career practicing in the New Orleans area, focusing on casualty litigation. In 2001, she was elected to the Orleans Parish Civil District Court and served as its Chief Judge from 2008 to 2010. She was then elected to serve as an Associate Justice for District 7 in 2020 representing portions of both Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, following in the footsteps of Chief Justice Bernette J. Johnson (’69) and Justice Revius Ortique.
She is a lifelong resident of New Orleans, graduating from Xavier University Preparatory School (now St. Katharine Drexel Preparatory School) and the University of Notre Dame before completing her Juris Doctor at LSU Law.
