Surrounded by a standing-room-only crowd of family, friends and key community leaders, Darren P. Lombard took the oath of office as Clerk of Criminal District Court on Thursday, May 5. In recognition of the excellent education he received at the University of New Orleans, Lombard chose to hold his investiture at UNOs Student Center Ballroom.
U.S. Congressman Troy Carter Sr. who served as master of ceremonies praised Lombard as a great man who is prepared for the future. Outgoing Clerk Arthur Morrell said Lombard grew up around his sons and has significant working knowledge of the clerks office and its needs. DA Jason Williams thanked Morrell for his numerous sacrifices and decades of public service and then spoke about the strong partnership he has nurtured with Lombard. Williams called the Clerks Office essential to the administration of criminal justice and to everything that happens in court. Williams said he was happy to commit himself to that partnership which he expects will lead to expedited expungements, efficient prosecution and better interagency collaboration.
Cedric Richmond, senior aide to President Joe Biden, spoke of the important role Lombard will play to ensure citizens have equal access to justice and the sacred right to vote which is now under attack. I cant think of a better person more prepared and more committed. Richmond also reminded Lombard that he should never forget where he came from and the people that brought him along.
Lombard was also praised for his familys tradition of service first in the Algiers community and later city-wide and his unparalleled level of commitment to getting the job done.
Among those in attendance were Judges Monique Morial, Rachel Johnson, Nakisha Ervin-Knott, Nicole Sheppard, Ellen Hazeur, Omar Mason, Angel Harris, Nadine Ramsey, Mark Shea, Karen Herman, Marissa Hutabarat and Robin Pittman; legislators Delisha Boyd, Joe Bouie, Jason Hughes and Royce Duplessis; Sheriff Susan Hutson; Clerk of Civil District Court Chelsea Richard Napoleon; Clerk of Second City Court Lisa Diggs; Second City Court Constable Ed Shorty; City Councilmembers J.P. Morrell and Eugene Green; Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Katie Bernhardt and OPSB members Olin Parker and Nolan Marshall.
Throughout the campaign Lombard pledged to modernize the clerks office, improve the expungement process, create an electronic filing system, and work more cooperatively with other stakeholders in the criminal justice system. Lombard served almost 10 years as Clerk of Second City Court and prior to that worked as Elections Coordinator under Morrell. Lombard is also former chair of the Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee and a current member of the Board of Election Supervisors. He is the father of four young adults – Nya, Corey, Jordan and Jared – who were all in attendance with their spouses and children.
