ALEXANDRIA, La. (UrbanCast: 6/25/2026) — Ninth Judicial District Court Judge Greg Beard has announced his candidacy for the Louisiana 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal following the upcoming retirement of Judge Van Kyzar at the end of the year.
The seat serves voters in Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, and Sabine parishes. The Louisiana 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal hears appeals from trial courts across 21 parishes in southwest and central Louisiana.
“Serving the people of Rapides Parish as district judge has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Beard said. “With Judge Van Kyzar’s retirement at the close of this year, I believe this is an important moment to offer my experience, judgment, and commitment to fairness in continued service to the citizens of our state.”
A native of Alexandria, Beard graduated from Alexandria Senior High School before earning a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and a Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center.
Before taking the bench, Beard practiced law for approximately 23 years, handling civil litigation, debt collection, personal injury, divorce, and succession matters. He began his legal career in Baton Rouge before returning to Alexandria to practice with Beard & Beard.
Beard was elected to the 9th Judicial District Court in 2014 and was reelected without opposition in 2020. During his tenure, he has presided over civil, criminal, family, and juvenile cases.
Experience as a Trial Judge
According to Beard, his experience as a trial judge has prepared him for appellate service, where judges review lower court decisions to determine whether the law has been applied correctly.
Judge Beard is a member of several professional and civic organizations, including the Louisiana State Bar Association, Alexandria Bar Association, Louisiana District Judges Association, the F.A. “Pappy” Little, Jr. American Inn of Court, the Red River Delta Law Enforcement Planning Council, the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, and the Kiwanis Club of Alexandria. He is also an active member of Calvary Baptist Church.
“Throughout my career, I have tried to approach every responsibility with fairness, humility, integrity, and respect for the law,” Beard said. “If elected to the Court of Appeal, I will bring that same careful, impartial, and proactive approach to the work ahead.”
The election for the Louisiana 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal seat will be held this fall.
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