Division K – Judge Patrice W. Oppenheim

Judge Patrice W. Oppenheim

Judge Patrice W. “Patti” Oppenheim is the District Judge for Division “K” of the Twenty-Second Judicial District Court of the State of Louisiana. She was elected to serve as the Judge for Division K of the 22nd Judicial District Court, one of the two divisions of our Court which focuses on family law, including divorces, custody, child support, spousal support and community property. Her term began on January 1, 2021.

Judge Oppenheim is a Board-Certified Family Law Specialist. She has been a part of the 22nd Judicial District Court’s Family Court since its inception in 2009. She is a long-time member of the Self-Represented Litigant Committee, a member of the international multi-disciplinary Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) and serves on the Board of Directors for the state chapter of AFCC. Additionally, Judge Oppenheim has served as the Administrator and Counselor for the 22nd JDC Inns of Court since 2009, a group that promotes attorney civility and professionalism, and is currently serving as its acting President.

To contact Judge Oppenheim’s office:

Rachel Brumfield, Administrative Assistant
Email: rmbrumfield@stpgov.org
Telephone: 985-809-5412

Molly Manieri, Staff Attorney/Hearing Officer
Email: mlmanieri@stpgov.org
Telephone: 985-809-5413

Virtual Court

Click the button below. Please add your full name before joining. Each person must be clearly identified by name before he or she is allowed into the video conference. You will be placed into a virtual waiting room until that time.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING VIRTUAL HEARINGS:

St. Tammany Parish

Beginning July 12, 2021, Division “K” will transition to a “Hybrid Rule Day”. Division “K” will continue to conduct those matters specifically listed below and its pre-hearing conferences with counsel and/or self-represented litigants on a Hybrid Rule Day via Zoom. If a hearing is needed, the hearing will be In-Person later that same day.

The Judge or Hearing Officer has the sole discretion to set any matter for an In-Person hearing or Virtual hearing. However, the following matters will be set exclusively for Virtual hearing as these hearings generally involve a limited number of witnesses and/or documents:

  1. Hearing Officer Conferences
  2. Exceptions
  3. 102 Divorce rules
  4. 103 Divorce Confirmations/Trials
  5. Motions for New Trial
  6. Motions in Limine
  7. Motions to Compel Discovery
  8. Motions for Judicial Determination of SDDL
  9. Motions for Termination of the Matrimonial Regime
  10. Motions for Summary Judgment
  11. Motions to Appoint Experts/Special Masters/Parenting Coordinators/Custody Evaluators
  12. Motions to Appoint Attorneys for Children/Curators
  13. Exceptions (Objections) to Protective Orders
  14. Motions to Modify/Dissolve Protective Orders
  15. Orders to Prepare Judgments
  16. Motions to Withdraw
  17. Homologation of Community Property Partitions
  18. Court Cost Rules
  19. Watermeier Hearings

Exhibits which may be introduced in a Virtual hearing, with the exception of rebuttal exhibits, shall be provided to Judge Oppenheim’s Chambers via e-mail to rmbrumfield@stpgov.org by 3:30 p.m. the day before the Virtual hearing. However, if the documents to be introduced exceed ten (10) pages, the party shall submit a physical bench book to the Judge’s Office by 3:30 p.m. the day before the Virtual hearing. Parties are no longer required to share/publish their exhibits to the opposing party in advance of the hearing unless they were requested via discovery.

If a hearing will be conducted virtually via Zoom, it is the sole responsibility of the party/counsel offering evidence to ensure handling the “share screen” function. The Court will not “screen share” for the parties.

In addition to those matters listed above, parties may opt to have a Virtual hearing on any matter, with the Judge’s permission, as long as both sides agree and there are not extensive documents or witnesses. The introduction of documents over ten (10) pages will be considered extensive by Division “K”. To request a Virtual hearing, the parties must file an Uncontested or Joint Motion Requesting Virtual Hearing at least five (5) business days prior to the hearing.

Washington Parish

Beginning July 12, 2021, all matters in Washington Parish will be In-Person unless the Court instructs otherwise.

Parties may opt to have a Virtual hearing on any matter, with the Judge’s permission, as long as both sides agree and there are not extensive documents or witnesses. The introduction of documents over ten (10) pages will be considered extensive by Division “K”. To request a Virtual hearing, the parties must file an Uncontested or Joint Motion Requesting Virtual Hearing at least five (5) business days prior to the hearing.

If a hearing will be conducted virtually via Zoom, it is the sole responsibility of the party/counsel offering evidence to ensure handling the “share screen” function. The Court will not “screen share” for the parties.

RULES FOR PARTICIPATING IN VIRTUAL HEARINGS:

All Court rules on attire and conduct in Court for attorneys, participants and witnesses remain in effect, which includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Proper attire is required for all Virtual hearings. You must be fully dressed and seated in a chair. No party is to have on sleepwear, hats, shorts, tank tops, flip flops or bare midriffs and shirts-tails must be tucked in. No party appearing by Zoom may be smoking, eating or drinking.
  2. No other persons, except attorneys of record, are permitted to be in the room during proceedings without prior Court approval.
  3. Neither the parties, their attorneys, nor their agents or assigns, are to photograph or record by any means any part of the proceeding. Violation of these Court orders shall be considered grounds for a finding of contempt of court.
  4. Participants shall not be in close proximity to each other as this may cause audio and video transmission issues.
  5. No witness shall have documents or notes in front of them while testifying unless given permission by the Court. The Court may, in its discretion and at any time, request participants to adjust the web camera to show anything a witness may appear to be reading during a proceeding.