Longtime local attorney Addison “Add” Goff has announced his candidacy for Ruston City Court Judge in the upcoming parish-wide election in Lincoln Parish.
Goff, a lifelong resident of Ruston, brings 33 years of legal experience to the race. Over the course of his career, he has represented individuals and families in a wide range of legal matters and has built a reputation for professionalism, integrity, and careful attention to the law.
“I have spent my career working with people during some of the most challenging moments in their lives,” Goff said. “Those experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the importance of a fair and respectful courtroom. Every person who enters the courtroom deserves to be treated with dignity and have their case heard carefully and fairly and decided according to the law, by a judge that is prepared and who has a strong work ethic.”
A graduate of Ruston High School, Goff earned his undergraduate degree from Louisiana Tech University before receiving his Juris Doctor from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center. He has practiced law in North Louisiana for more than 30 years and has courtroom experience in a broad range of legal matters.
Goff has been especially active in championing the needs of seniors and veterans.
“I’ve always felt a special calling to help the elderly and their families, which only strengthened after watching members of my own family struggle with end-of-life issues, dementia, and long-term care placement,” Goff said.
During his career, he has also assisted wartime veterans and their families as a Veterans Administration Accredited Attorney. He’s been a frequent lecturer to civil, legal, and church organizations on topics such as professionalism, estate planning and elder law.
Goff has been active in both professional and community organizations. He has served in leadership roles in statewide legal organizations and has been involved with numerous civic and charitable efforts in the Ruston community.
Notably, serving as a Hearing Committee Chair for the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, he has presided over evidentiary hearings resulting from formal ethics complaints against lawyers across a 20-parish region. Furthermore, he was twice appointed to the Louisiana Public Defender Board (formerly the Louisiana Indigent Defense Assistance Board), serving from 1998–2006 and again from 2010–2015. Those boards were state agencies that regulated Louisiana’s public defender system.
Goff has served as president for several local community organizations, including Ruston Kiwanis Club, Ruston Jaycees, Christian Community Action. He also served on the Board of Directors for Louisiana Med-Camps.
An Eagle Scout and longtime Judo coach, Goff is an avid hunter and fisherman. He and his wife Shelley are active members of Trinity Methodist Church.
“The Ruston City Court plays an important role in the administration of justice for our parish,” Goff said. “If elected, I will work every day to ensure that the court is fair, efficient, and respectful to everyone who appears before it.”
The election for Ruston City Court Judge will be held parish-wide across Lincoln Parish. All parish voters, including those living outside Ruston city limits, will vote for Ruston City Court Judge.
