The Hon. Alonzo Harris (Ret.) is a former judge for the 27th Judicial District Court of Louisiana in St. Landry Parish. He was elected to the bench in 1993, becoming the first African American to sit on the bench there. Harris retired on December 31, 2020.
At the time of his retirement, he was Chief Judge of the 27th Judicial District.
Harris received a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering technology from Southern University in 1983. He then completed a J.D. at Southern University Law Center in 1986.
Harris worked for almost six years in private practice at Harris & Harris Law Firm in Opelousas, where he practiced alongside his father and sister until his election to the bench. In addition to his practice, he also served for five years as a public defender for the St. Landry Parish.
His memberships include the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Louisiana Judicial College of the National Bar Association, and the Southwest Lawyers Association.
Harris is also a past president of the St. Landry Parish Mass Choir and the Rotary Club of Opelousas. In addition, he has been involved with the St. Landry Junior Livestock Association and the National Baptist Layemen’s Movement.
Harris, a native of Washington, Louisiana, and his wife, Rena, have five children.
He attended Washington High School.