Judge Doug Saloom Announces Retirement in Lafayette

The 66-year-old jurist leaves the bench after 31 years of service.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Criminal Justice

Empty mahogany judge's bench inside a quiet, sunlit traditional courtroom with high ceilings and wood paneling. — Lafayette City Court Judge Doug Saloom announced his retirement, concluding a 31-year tenure on the bench and a 70-year family judicial legacy. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Lafayette City Court Judge Doug Saloom is set to retire in 2026 after a distinguished 31-year career on the bench. His departure marks the end of a 70-year era of service by the Saloom family at the Lafayette City Court.

Why it matters

Saloom leaves a significant legacy marked by his work on substance abuse treatment programs and traffic safety initiatives like Buckle Up Acadiana. His retirement ends the longest-running family judicial presence in the history of the court.

Judge Doug Saloom has served 31 years on the Lafayette City Court, following a 40-year tenure by his predecessor Kaliste Saloom Jr. The court, which recently saw Roya Boustany join in February 2025, previously cleared its case backlog in two months.

The players

Doug Saloom

He is a 66-year-old judge who has served on the Lafayette City Court for 31 years.

Kaliste Saloom Jr.

He was a Lafayette City Court judge who served on the bench for 40 years between 1953 and 1993.

Roya Boustany

She is a member of the Lafayette City Court who began her service in February 2025.

The details

During his tenure, Saloom implemented the Variable Substance Abuse Program and chaired safety initiatives including Courage to Live Louisiana. He now plans to focus on mentoring young lawyers while remaining active in the Louisiana Bar Association and the Louisiana Law Institute.

1953-1993: Kaliste Saloom Jr. served as Lafayette City Court judge.
1995: Doug Saloom took office at the city court.
February 2025: Roya Boustany began serving on the city court.
2026: Doug Saloom retires from the bench.

Legal Context

This retirement ends the 70-year continuous judicial service of the Saloom family, a record of tenure rarely seen in modern municipal courts. Such long-standing familial roles illustrate the evolution of judicial appointments and local governance in Louisiana.

Residents of Lafayette will see a change in leadership at the city court following the departure of a judge who prioritized substance abuse programs. This transition may influence future administrative courtroom management and judicial decision-making policies for local cases.

The takeaway

Judge Saloom's career highlights the impact that long-serving judicial figures can have on local rehabilitation and traffic safety initiatives. His transition to mentoring signifies a shift from active courtroom duties to shaping the next generation of legal practitioners.