Judge Laurie R. Brister

Chief Judge
Division B

Administrative Assistant - 

Secretary - Megan Lensing
Email: MLensing@6jdc.com

Misdemeanor Probation Officer - Carol Guice

Law Clerk - Sandi Mathews
Email: SMathews@6jdc.com

Law Clerk - Jessica Ferrell
Email: JFerrell@6jdc.com

Court Report - Mary Alice Lee

Judge Laurie Reis Brister was elected Judge, Division B, of the Sixth Judicial District Court on November 6, 2018, and was sworn in on March 8, 2019. She was then re-elected on November 3, 2020.

She graduated from Louisiana State University in May 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, then obtained her Juris Doctorate from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU in 1991.

Prior to her election to the bench, she practiced law with her husband and was a former prosecutor with the Sixth District Attorney’s Office. Judge Brister also previously served as a Magistrate for the Town of Lake Providence, a public defender for juvenile and child support cases, a judicial law clerk and hearing officer, a misdemeanor probation officer and the Family in Need of Services (FINS) Coordinator.

Since her election to the bench, Judge Brister has served as a member of the Louisiana Supreme Court Technology Commission, a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Access to Justice Commission and a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Accessibility Committee. She is a member of the Louisiana District Judges Association where she is on the Executive Board. She has also served as Treasurer of the organization and currently holds the position of Second Vice President. While on the Executive Board, she also co-chaired the Chief Judge Manual Project.

In addition, Judge Brister is a member of the Louisiana Judicial College Board of Governors.

Judge Brister started the first drug court in her district in March 2021 and continues to serve as the Drug Court Judge in addition to handling civil, criminal and juvenile matters. She serves a three-parish general jurisdiction district. Judge Brister is a member of the Louisiana Association of Drug and Specialty Courts.

Judge Brister successfully secured grants from the Louisiana Supreme Court, Court Modernization and Technology Fund and established virtual courtroom capabilities in all three of the courtrooms in the Sixth Judicial District.

She enjoys speaking to schools in her district and the Council’s on Aging regarding the court system and civics education. Judge Brister often hosts students in the courtroom too.

In addition, Judge Brister is a member of the East Carroll Parish Library Board. She was part of the effort of the La. State Bar Association’s Access to Justice Committee to bring the first legal access point in Louisiana to the East Carroll Parish Library. This program is designed to provide legal services to those who are indigent or are unable to secure representation.

She is always looking for ways to use technology in her courtroom and to ensure that everyone has access to justice.

She is married to Andy, and they have two grown children and two grandchildren.