James "Jim" E. Paxton was born and raised in Madison Parish. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1985 receiving a B.B.A. in Finance and in 1988 received his law degree from Louisiana State University School of Law. After graduating from LSU, Jim joined the law firm of Christovich & Kearney in New Orleans where he practiced until 1993. For 24 years, Jim has been in private law practice, an Assistant District Attorney from 1993-2002, First Assistant District Attorney from 2002-2008, Appointed District Attorney in January 2008 by Attorney General-Elect James "Buddy" Caldwell and Elected District Attorney in October 2008.
Jim and his wife live in St. Joseph with their three children. As an active member of First Baptist Church of St. Joseph, he serves as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. He is also a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and the Louisiana District Attorneys Association. As well as serving on numerous boards in the Sixth Judicial District.
"My main goal as District Attorney is to make sure that we seek justice swiftly, but fairly. As District Attorney my job is to see that we honor our primary obligation to protect the public, but do so in a manner that is just, ethical, and proper."
