Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal Judge to address Southeastern commencements
Thursday, November 30, 2023 
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Allison H. Penzato will
address Southeastern Louisiana University graduating students at commencement ceremonies
on Saturday, Dec. 9.
She will speak at the events scheduled for 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the University
Center, where the university will confer nearly 1,100 degrees on students who are
graduating with bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
“An alumna of Southeastern, Judge Penzato’s extensive legal knowledge, professional
demeanor, and love of Southeastern are impressive! We strive to expose our new graduates
to exemplary role models through our commencement speakers,” said Southeastern President
William S. Wainwright. “Her words of wisdom will be invaluable to the graduates of
the class of 2023.”
A native of Bogalusa, Penzato graduated from Bogalusa High School. She received
her undergraduate degree from Southeastern, majoring in government. She studied law
at Loyola Law School, graduating in 1981. While in law school, Judge Penzato served
as law clerk to United States Magistrate Ingard O. Johannesen.
After practicing law for 26 years, she was first elected to the 22nd Judicial
District Court in 2008 and served as Chief Judge from 2014-2016. Judge Penzato was
elected to the First Circuit Court of Appeal in 2017.
She also served on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana District Judges Association,
as past-president and member of the Board of Governors of the Louisiana Judicial College,
and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the First Circuit Judges Association.
