Judge Marion F. Edwards
Marion F. Edwards, a Monroe, Louisiana native, was born on June 23, 1941, to Thelma and Joseph Marion Edwards. After graduating from Ouachita Parish High School, he attended Northeast Louisiana University before earning his Juris Doctorate from Loyola University School of Law in 1967. While at Loyola, Marion formed a lifelong friendship with Harry Lee, later Jefferson Parish Sheriff, with whom he opened a law practice in Gretna.
Marion began his legal career as Jefferson Parish law clerk and later joined the District Attorney’s Office, where he became First Assistant District Attorney under John Mamoulides. During his tenure, he helped create programs like the Code 6 initiative for violent offenders and established Louisiana’s first Child Advocacy Center.
In 1996, Marion was elected unopposed to the 24th Judicial District Court, where he pioneered one of Louisiana’s first drug courts. The program became a national model for success. He was later elected to the Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal, serving as Chief Judge until his 2012 retirement. Even afterward, he continued to serve courts statewide, including the Louisiana Supreme Court, in various capacities.
A dedicated public servant, Marion was elected to the Jefferson Parish Council in 2019 and reelected unopposed in 2023. His lifetime achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, reflecting his impact on law, justice, and community service.