Trudy M. White

Judge, Division B, City Court

A native of Baton Rouge, Judge White graduated from McKinley High School in 1974. She graduated from Howard University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management in 1978, and earned a juris doctorate degree from Louisiana State University Law Center in 1981. She also completed advanced studies at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and Kellog's School of Management.

During her legal career, Judge White served as the chief counsel to the Support Enforcement Services Program where she was instrumental in setting up the involuntary garnishment program for child support commonly known as Income Assignment. She served as Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel to the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Former Governors Buddy Roemer and Edwin W. Edwards appointed her to positions in their administration at the Department of Revenue.

Immediately prior to becoming Judge, she was Executive Director of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society’s Pro Bono Program.  As Executive Director, she was responsible for litigating the legal cases and managing the office.   It was a result of her public service to indigent citizens that the community encouraged her to run for City Court Judge.

Judge Trudy speaks to numerous community groups and organizations on a regular basis.  One of the Judicial Outreach Programs that she is most proud of is the educational outreach program that she does with women inmates to area schools where they speak to school children in the Baton Rouge area.

Judge Trudy prides herself with being courteous, respectful, and civil to lawyers, parties and witnesses. She is punctual in convening court and makes a point to decide all matters presented for decision promptly.

Judge Trudy, often referred to as the “People’s Judge,” is an active participant in her community.  She is quite familiar with the problems associated with poverty, drugs, lack of opportunity, and hopelessness.  She serves as a role model for the community who admires and respects her community involvement.  Judge Trudy brings a unique life experience to the bench.

In addition to professional legal organizations, Judge Trudy holds memberships in McKinley High School Alumni Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Downtown Toastmasters, and Southern University 6th Man Club.  She is also a board member of the Louisiana State Employee’s Retirement System (LASERS).  Her interests include the study of our history and she is a member of the Afri-centric Focus/Maat Study Group.  This group sponsors annually a Marcus Garvey and Kwanzaa programs.  

Judge Trudy is the single parent of one daughter, Ashley Elizabeth.

Source:  McKinley Alumni Association

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