Michael Juneau
| Michael Joseph "Mike" Juneau | |
 | |
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
| |
| In office February 1, 2022 – May 12, 2023 | |
Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
| |
| In office October 17, 2018 – February 1, 2022 | |
| Appointed by | Donald Trump |
|---|---|
| Preceded by | Richard T. Haik |
| Succeeded by | Jerry Edwards, Jr. |
| Born | June 29, 1962 Monroe, Louisiana |
| Died | May 12, 2023 (aged 60) Lafayette, Louisiana |
| Resting place | Lafayette Memorial Park |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Becky Brooks Juneau (married c. 1992-2023, his death) |
| Children | Drew Bute James Juneau |
| Alma mater | Lafayette High School Louisiana State University (Bachelor of Science) |
| Religion | Christian |
Michael Joseph Juneau, known as Mike Juneau (June 29, 1962 – May 12, 2023), was a Donald Trump-appointed judge for the Western District of his native Louisiana. He served for five years on the bench until his death in office of a debilitating medical condition. The post was then filled by U.S. President Joe Biden, who appointed the African-American Jerry Edwards, Jr. In addition to Juneau, Trump also named to the Western District of Louisiana state court Judge Terry Doughty of Rayville in Richland Parish.[1] Judge Doughty issued a legal finding that the Biden White House likely colluded with Big Tech to censor protected speech during the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]
Background
Judge Juneau was born in Monroe to Patrick Juneau, Jr., and Truley Ann Juneau. His grandfather, Patrick Alton Juneau, Sr. (1906-1961), whom the judge never knew, was a state senator from Lafayette from 1940 to 1944, the author of the pension plan for Louisiana firefighters.[3]
Judge Juneau was reared in Lafayette and graduated in 1980 from Lafayette High School, at which he was an honor graduate and the football team captain. He graduated in 1984 from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge with a degree in accounting and service as president of Kappa Sigma fraternity. Three years later, he completed the law curriculum with honors at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In law school, he served on the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau and was selected best oralist in the Ames Moot Court Competition.[4]
Career
As a Harvard law graduate, he had a host of job offers but preferred to return to his Cajun roots in Lafayette, where he practiced law until his elevation to the bench. Known for his intellect, ethical standards, calm demeanor, and big heart, he e was a nationally recognized expert in class action and complex litigation. He served as the Special Master in the Halliburton-Transocean settlement resulting from the British Petroleum oil spill.[4]
Personal life
Judge Juneau was a true servant of God and devoted much of his time and talents to various charitable causes. A founding member of the Bridge Ministry of Acadiana, he spent countless hours to tutoring underprivileged children. He also served on the board of directors of Westminster Christian Academy.[4]
He is survived by his wife of thirty-one years, the former Becky Brooks; four children, Drew Bute, James Juneau (and his wife, Alexis), Ruth Juneau Mueller (and her husband, Jordan), and David Juneau (and his fiancée, Laina Robinson). He had six grandchildren and two brothers, Patrick Juneau, III, and Tommy Juneau (and his wife, Karen). He is interred at Lafayette Memorial Park.[4]
References
- ↑ Trump taps Rayville judge for federal bench (thenewsstar.com), accessed November 29, 2023.)
- ↑ Judge restricts Biden officials from colluding with Big Tech (nypost.com), accessed November 29, 2023.
- ↑ Patrick Alton Juneau, Sr. (1906-1961) obituary. Findagrave.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Michael Juneau Obituary (1962 - 2023) - Lafayette, LA - The Advocate (legacy.com), accessed November 29, 2023.