Fourth Judicial Judge Marcus Clark became the newest associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court in Thursday’s ceremony at the Monroe Civic Center Jack Howard Theatre.

Retired Judge William Norris, Chief Judge Second Circuit Court of Appeals, administered the oath of office to Clark as wife Allyson Clark looked on. Ouachita Parish Sheriff Royce Toney, Fourth District Attorney Jerry Jones and Fourth District Chief Judge Sharon Marchman spoke about their long professional and personal associations with Clark.

“He has been an honorable practictioner of the law since I’ve been district attorney,” said Jones. “He will not let you down as a justice on your Supreme Court.”

Marchman presented Clark with a commemorative gavel and soundboard for his service in the Fourth Judicial District.

On hand to welcome Clark to the Supreme Court were Chief Justice Catherine Kimball, associate justices Greg Guidry, Jeffrey Victory, Jeannette Knoll, John Weimer, Bernette Johnson and retiring justice Chet Traylor, whose seat Clark won in last month’s election.

Clark, of Monroe, promised the audience he would continue to make his home in northeast Louisiana and would continue to serve the community.

“I am the same person I was as a district judge,” said Clark. “I’m just going to use that experience to serve you in a position in which I think I can do more for our community.”

After taking the oath of office to the Louisiana Supreme Court, Marcus Clark called his wife Allyson to the podium and presented her with a gift of jewelry to commemorate the occasion. Clark joked the gift to his wife was advised to him by his fellow justices on the Supreme Court.