The Honorable Charlene Larche-Mason has over 23 years of legal experience with a proven record of integrity. She made history on July 30, 2020, when she was elected without opposition to preside over Division C of the Municipal and Traffic Court of New Orleans. She is the first female judge elected to preside over traffic matters in the history of the City of New Orleans and the first female elected to serve on the Municipal and Traffic Court of New Orleans bench.
Judge Larche-Mason is a native New Orleanian that was raised in the heart of Treme in the 7th Ward. She attended Ursuline Academy for thirteen years from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Upon graduating from high school, she earned a degree in Political Science from Xavier University where she graduated cum laude. While attending Xavier, she was initiated into the Epsilon Tau Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and was afforded an opportunity to intern with then State Senator Marc H. Morial in his law office. It was also at that time that she began her career in public service as a 911 Operator with the New Orleans Police Department.
With a first-hand view of the law and legal process, she decided to relocate to Baton Rouge and attend Southern University Law Center in pursuit of a law degree. After graduating from law school and passing the bar, she was honored to be extended an opportunity to serve as an assistant city attorney with the New Orleans City Attorney’s office under then Mayor, the Honorable Marc H. Morial. She began as an assistant city attorney and in 2004 became one of the youngest lawyers to be promoted to Deputy City Attorney. Later in 2008, she was recognized by Mayor C. Ray Nagin for her dedication to city government and extended an offer to become the first Chief Deputy City Attorney of the Traffic and Municipal legal team for the City of New Orleans. In her capacity as Chief Prosecutor for the City of New Orleans, she worked daily inside of the Municipal and Traffic Court building for over 12 years, spanning three different mayoral administrations.
In 2017, she was recognized for her innovative ideas and dedication to pursuing best prosecutorial practices as Employee of the Year for the City of New Orleans by then Mayor Mitchell J. Landrieu.
In addition to her legal career, Judge Larche-Mason was twice elected to serve on the Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee for two 4-year terms under the Obama Administration. She is a Silver Star, Life Member of the Omicron Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and serves as a Float Lieutenant for the Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale.
Judge Larche-Mason and her husband, Ronald Mason, have been married for more than 17 years and have one son, Carter.