A. J. McNamara

Who is A. J. McNamara?

Abel J. "Buddy" McNamara, usually known as A.J. McNamara, is a former Louisiana politician and judge of the New Orleans-based United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, who served full-time from June 21, 1982, until the fall of 2001, when he assumed senior status.

The New Orleans-born McNamara graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in 1959. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University in New Orleans in 1968.

McNamara served in the U.S. Navy from 1959-1962. From 1966-1968, he was a bailiff and law clerk for Judge Herbert W. Christenberry of the same court on which McNamara served. He maintained a private law practice from 1968-1982. In 1976, he joined three other attorneys in forming the partnership Hailey, McNamara, McNamara, and Hall. The name was changed to Hailey, McNamara, Hall, Larmann & Papale in 1982, when A.J. McNamara was appointed to the district judgeship. The firm is the largest in Jefferson Parish and one of the largest litigation operations in metropolitan New Orleans.

While practicing law, McNamara served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from populous Jefferson Parish in suburban New Orleans. Elected in the jungle primary of 1975, he was a Democratic representative from 1976–1977, and a converted Republican member from 1977-1980. He did not seek reelection in the 1979 primary.