Fifth Circuit Seal
Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
Hon. Jennifer W. Elrod, Chief Judge
Lyle W. Cayce, Clerk of Court
Judicial Conduct & Governance

Judicial Council Members

The Judicial Council of the Fifth Circuit is responsible for the effective and expeditious administration of justice within the circuit.

Members of the Council

Under 28 U.S.C. § 332, the Council is chaired by the Chief Judge and is composed of an equal number of circuit and district judges. It meets to direct the administration of the courts of the Fifth Circuit and to issue orders governing their operation across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

Members serve staggered terms. The date shown is when each member's term expires; an indefinite term has no set expiration date.

Chief Judge & Circuit Judges
  • Jennifer Walker ElrodChief JudgeIndefinite
  • Catharina HaynesIndefinite
  • Jerry E. Smith12/31/2026
  • James E. Graves, Jr.12/31/2028
  • James C. Ho12/31/2027
  • Stuart Kyle Duncan12/31/2027
  • Kurt D. Engelhardt12/31/2027
  • Andrew S. Oldham12/31/2028
  • Cory T. Wilson12/31/2028
  • Irma Carrillo Ramirez12/31/2026
District Judges

One district judge represents each of the nine district courts within the circuit.

  • Lance M. AfrickEastern District of Louisiana12/31/2026
  • Brian A. JacksonMiddle District of Louisiana12/31/2027
  • Terry A. DoughtyWestern District of Louisiana12/31/2027
  • Debra M. BrownNorthern District of Mississippi12/31/2028
  • Taylor B. McNeelSouthern District of Mississippi12/31/2028
  • Reed O'ConnorNorthern District of Texas12/31/2028
  • Randy CraneSouthern District of Texas12/31/2027
  • Amos L. Mazzant, IIIEastern District of Texas12/31/2026
  • Alia MosesWestern District of Texas12/31/2026
Council Observers
  • Meredith S. Grabill12/31/2028
  • Christina A. Bryan12/31/2028

Standing Committees

The Council carries out much of its work through standing committees, each chaired by a judge of the circuit.

Standing Committee
Space and Staffing Committee
Halil “Sul” Ozerden Chair
James E. Graves, Jr.
Kurt D. Engelhardt
Elizabeth E. Foote
Rodney Gilstrap
Standing Committee
Rules Committee
Jerry E. Smith Chair
Sidney A. Fitzwater
Brenda T. Rhoades
Standing Committee
Court Administration Committee
Amos L. Mazzant, III Chair
Cory T. Wilson
Sharion Aycock
Terry A. Doughty
Susie Morgan
Standing Committee
Special Purpose Courts Committee
Irma C. Ramirez Chair
Nannette Jolivette Brown
Terry A. Doughty
Diana Saldana
Michael T. Parker
Standing Committee
IT Advisory Committee
Don R. Willett Chair
Marina Garcia Marmolejo
Renee H. Toliver
Standing Committee
Judicial Impairment Protocol Committee
Kurt D. Engelhardt Chair
Marcia A. Crone
Dee D. Drell
Louis Guirola, Jr.
Jay C. Zainey