NEW ORLEANS, LA – Louisiana Supreme Court Clerk of Court John Tarlton Olivier, whoin early 2021 announced his retirement, exited the Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr. Courthouse at 400 Royal Street for the last time as Clerk of Court on December 31, 2021. He served the Louisiana Supreme Court for 36 years, including 25 years and 9 months as Clerk of Court. Olivier has the distinction of being the longest serving Clerk of Court in the history of the Louisiana Supreme Court.
Olivier received his bachelor’s degree from Loyola University New Orleans in 1976 and his juris doctor degree in 1979 from Loyola University New Orleans, College of Law. He entered the private practice of law with the firm of Olivier & Brinkhaus in 1979, and served as Secretary-Treasurer of the St. Landry Parish Bar Association and of the Sertoma International-Sunset Area Sertoma.
In 1982 he worked for the Board of Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans, and served as Dredging Committee Chairman of the Marine Safety Society. He served on the Vocational Tech Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, New Orleans and the River Region; was appointed by the Mayor to the Anti-Truancy Committee for the City of New Orleans and the Orleans Parish School Board, and served as a member of the Metropolitan Area Committee and on the Forum Selection Committee.
In 1985, Olivier was appointed Louisiana Supreme Court Deputy Clerk of Court. Eleven years later, he was sworn in as Clerk of Court on March 1, 1996.
Known as “John T.” to friends and family, Olivier and his office oversaw all filings submitted to the Louisiana Supreme Court, coordinated the scheduling of dockets, maintained the Court’s calendar, and managed the Supreme Court’s non-judicial operations.
His tenure as the longest serving Clerk of Court in the history of the Louisiana Supreme Court; And for his incomparable diligence and unselfish dedication, making him one of the Supreme Court’s true “unsung heroes”,
“I offer my congratulations to John T. upon his retirement,” said Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer. “His presence will be missed as a member of the Supreme Court family and certainly his support of the Supreme Court bench. John T. has shown great dedication to the citizens of Louisiana through his humble yet professional demeanor and exceptional competence.
The years he dedicated in service to the Court have resulted in a well-run Clerk’s office, a magnificent courthouse, and an excellent example of professionalism for colleagues and court staff as well.”
John T. Olivier expressed, “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the Louisiana Supreme Court and the citizens of Louisiana in a capacity that was rewarding both personally and professionally. I have worked with some of the most talented legal minds in the history of the Louisiana judiciary and I treasure the opportunity I had to learn from them as well as pass on to others the knowledge I have acquired. I feel privileged to have served as Clerk, am satisfied with the direction my career took, and feel confident this position is left in very capable hands as I retire.”
The Louisiana Supreme Court announced earlier in 2021 that Veronica O. Koclanes, Esq. will succeed Olivier as Louisiana Supreme Court Clerk of Court. Koclanes said of Olivier, “I am honored to follow the exemplary service of John T. Olivier, who set a high standard for over 25 years as Clerk of Court."