First Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Will Crain will seek the Associate Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court (District 1) seat vacated by Justice Greg Guidry.

Born and raised in Bogalusa, Crain graduated from LSU with a degree in accounting. He graduated from LSU Law School in 1986 before beginning a 22-year career as a partner and practicing lawyer with the Jones Fussell Law Firm in Covington. As an attorney, Crain’s focus and expertise involved complex litigation and trial work, and he litigated cases in both state and federal courts throughout Louisiana.

Crain was elected and served on the 22nd Judicial District Court for St. Tammany and Washington parishes from 2009 to 2013. He was elected to the First Circuit Court of Appeal in 2013, from a district that includes St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington, St. Helena, Livingston and the Feliciana parishes. The First Circuit reviews district court decisions from 16 parishes, and Crain has authored approximately 300 opinions.

“These published cases confirm my knowledge of, and adherence to, the proper role of a judge in our three-branch form of government, which is to interpret the law, and not legislate,” Crain said.

Crain has been an invited lecturer before judges and attorneys at continuing legal education seminars on many topics, including “Evidence and Persuasion at Trial,” “Professionalism” and writ and appellate practice. He was a member of the 2011 inaugural class of the Louisiana Judicial Leadership Institute. He presently serves as a member of the court cost committee of the Louisiana Judicial Council, chairs a committee charged with recommending alternative methods of funding the judiciary, and is the Immediate Past President of the Board of Governors for the Louisiana Judicial College.

“Our Supreme Court decides complex and impactful cases, potentially affecting the lives and prosperity of citizens and businesses throughout the state,” Crain said. “To serve on the Supreme Court, qualifications and experience matter. I have the necessary qualifications and experience, not only to adjudicate the complex cases presented, but to manage the challenges of administering our third branch of government, while assuring fairness and justice for all.”

Crain is a member of St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Mandeville. He and Cheri Hackett Crain have been married for 34 years. They are the parents of four children — William (31), Michael (29), Matthew (29), and Elizabeth (20).

Crain, 57, is a Republican.