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RUSTON, La. — As Lincoln Parish voters prepare to select their next Ruston City Judge, candidate Addison “Add” Goff says an important distinction deserves attention: whether the person elected will continue representing private legal clients while also serving as a judge.
Goff said, despite what may have been published by some, the candidates do have different positions regarding whether they would continue practicing law while holding judicial office. He said the term “full-time” has become a source of confusion in the race because it does not mean the same thing to every candidate.
“Voters deserve to know exactly what each candidate is promising,” Goff said. “When someone says they’ll be a ‘full-time’ judge, the important question is whether they also intend to maintain a private law practice. Being ‘available’ to handle judicial duties while still working your private practice is not the same commitment as making the judgeship your only professional responsibility.”
Goff said his own position is straightforward.
“If elected, I will close my private law practice. I will not represent private clients or maintain a separate law practice while serving as judge. The judgeship will be my only job.”
Goff believes this distinction is particularly important because Louisiana law has a loophole that permits certain city judges to maintain private law practices, unlike district court judges, who are prohibited from practicing law while serving on the bench.
“The Ruston City Judge is paid essentially the same amount as a District Court Judge, who is not allowed to practice law on the side,” Goff said. “For that kind of salary, the taxpayers deserve a judge who works for them and no one else. Our recent City Judges, going back over four decades, have understood this is not a good thing and have chosen not to practice law on the side for extra income above the healthy salary the taxpayers are paying them.”
“The law may allow it, but that doesn’t mean it’s right,” Goff said. “I believe the people who pay a judge’s salary deserve someone whose professional attention is devoted exclusively to the responsibilities of that office.”
Goff also believes maintaining a separate law practice can create competing professional obligations and raise questions about potential conflicts of interest.
“A judge who continues practicing law has obligations to private clients in addition to the responsibilities of judicial office,” Goff said. “Those private cases require preparation, meetings, deadlines, and attention. And lawyers who appear before the judge in court may also be involved in cases with or against that judge in private practice.”
Goff said the issue is not whether a judge can be reached by telephone or is available during regular court hours, as some may maintain.
“Calling yourself “full-time” because you keep regular office hours and give out your phone number so people can get a hold of you while you are working at your private law practice is not undivided attention, and it doesn’t remove those conflicts and distractions,” Goff said. “If you were sued by a lawyer that’s also a judge, how fair do you think that would be in front of a jury? If the judgeship is a judge’s only job, the public never has to worry about that.”
“Availability and undivided professional attention are not the same thing,” he said. “I believe the responsibilities of this office deserve a judge whose only professional job is serving the public.”
Experience Is An Important Consideration
Goff says voters should also carefully consider the breadth and depth of each candidate’s legal experience.
Goff has been an attorney for 34 years, longer than either of the other two candidates. He began his legal career as a research attorney for the Louisiana Supreme Court before returning to Ruston to join the family law firm established by his grandfather.
For more than three decades, Goff has represented clients in a broad range of legal matters. He has handled cases in Ruston City Court for more than 30 years.
“There’s no substitute for experience, but it’s also important to remember we are electing a judge, not an advocate,” Goff said. “A judge must be prepared to hear both sides of the issue, evaluate evidence fairly, and make decisions based on the facts and the law.”
Goff points to his service as a Hearing Committee Chair for the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board as particularly relevant to the responsibilities of a judge.
In that role, Goff presided over evidentiary hearings involving allegations of attorney misconduct across a 20-parish region. His responsibilities included hearing testimony, ruling on objections, assessing witness credibility, evaluating evidence, and applying the law to the facts presented.
“That experience required me to step away from the role of an advocate and instead listen to both sides and make decisions based on the evidence and the law,” Goff said. “Those are abilities and experiences are what the public expects from a judge.”
Maturity, Work Ethic and a Lifetime of Service
A lifelong resident of Ruston, Goff graduated from Ruston High School in 1986 and earned his undergraduate degree from Louisiana Tech University before receiving his law degree from LSU.
Goff says legal experience is only one part of the qualifications he believes are important for judicial office.
“Maturity, sound judgment, work ethic, and preparedness matter, too,” Goff said. “Life has a way of teaching lessons that can’t be learned from a textbook. Raising a family, losing loved ones, running a business and helping people through difficult times all give you a broader perspective on the challenges people face.”
Throughout his legal career, Goff has devoted considerable attention to assisting seniors, veterans, and their families. As a VA-accredited attorney, he has helped wartime veterans and their families navigate legal matters affecting their lives.
Goff has also been active in community service for decades, including serving as president of the Ruston Kiwanis Club, Ruston Jaycees, and Christian Community Action. He has also served on the Board of Directors of Louisiana Med-Camps.
An Eagle Scout and longtime Judo coach, Goff says the principles of preparation, discipline, hard work, and service have been important throughout his life.
“Being prepared has been part of my life since I was a young Scout,” Goff said. “If elected, I intend to bring that same commitment to the courtroom. People deserve a judge who has done the work necessary to understand the issues before making decisions that affect their lives.”
A Clear Commitment to the Court
Goff says he wants Ruston City Court to be a place where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, where cases are handled efficiently, and where decisions are made fairly and according to the law.
“People come to court during some of the most stressful and difficult moments of their lives,” Goff said. “They deserve a judge who listens carefully, treats everyone fairly, and is prepared to make difficult decisions.”
Goff says the decision to close his private law practice if elected reflects his understanding of the responsibilities of the office.
“I’ve spent more than three decades practicing law and serving this community. I understand the work and responsibility that come with being a judge,” Goff said. “If the people of Lincoln Parish elect me, I will give up my private law practice and devote my professional attention to serving them.
“Justice is not part time. And neither will I be.”
The election for Ruston City Judge is conducted parish-wide, and all registered voters are encouraged to participate. Early voting continues now through Tuesday, Oct. 27th. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 3rd.
The above information has been provided by a political campaign. Unless otherwise noted, the Lincoln Parish Journal publishing staff does not endorse specific candidates or ballot measures.
