Joe Busbey Hamiter

Joe Busbey Hamiter (November 6, 1899 – January 7, 1986) was a Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court from January 1, 1943 to July 30, 1970, serving briefly as Chief Justice from August 1 to December 30, 1970.[1][2]

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Hamiter graduated from Shreveport High School in 1917 and attended Louisiana State University from then until 1919.[1][3] After a hiatus spent farming and working in real estate and insurance, he returned to LSU in January 1921, receiving his LL.B. in 1923, as valedictorian of his class.[1][3] Hamiter entered the practice of law in Shreveport, and served two terms representing Caddo Parish in the Louisiana House of Representatives, from 1928 to 1935,[1][3] where he generally opposed the efforts of supporters of Governor Huey Long.[1]

Hamiter was elected to the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal in 1935, taking office in January 1936.[1][3] He was elected to a fourteen-year term to the state supreme court in 1942, taking office in January 1943, and running unopposed for reelection to another fourteen-year term in 1956, remaining on the court until the end of 1970.[1] Hamiter served as Chief Justice for the last five months of his tenure.[1]