A.J. Hand’s reality has hit him.

The 20-year Covington lawyer, who has operated a one-man law firm, August J. Hand LLC., out of a nondescript office on Boston Street, has spent the past three weeks lugging away decades worth of case files and shredding those he doesn’t need.

As of Jan. 1, Hand traded in his dapper suits for a judge’s robe. “It hit me three or four weeks ago,” he said, closing the doors to his private practice for good. “It’s finally sunk in.”

Hand, 48, is one of five other private attorneys elected in October to a judgeship at the 22nd Judicial District Court in Covington. Although their official duties started Jan. 1, they have been moving into their offices this week and will take part in a ceremonial swearing-in at the courthouse Jan. 9, Hand said.

Hand will take over for retiring judge Elaine Dimiceli in Division B; Rick Schwartz will take over for Patricia Hedges in Division C; Allison Hopkins Penzato will succeed Donald Fendlason in Division H; and William “Will” Crain will replace Larry Green in Division G.

Two new benches, Division K and L, both dedicated solely to family and juvenile court matters, will be presided over by Dawn Amacker and Mary Clemence Devereux, respectively. State lawmakers approved the two new judgeships last year.

Friday, eight days after their official duties began, the ceremonial swearing in will take place twice, once at 10 a.m. at the Washington Parish Courthouse in Franklinton featuring key note speaker First Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Burrell Carter and again at 2 p.m. in Covington at the Justice Center with keynote speaker state Supreme Court Chief Justice Catherine Kimball.

The 22nd Judicial District Court covers both parishes but is headquartered in St. Tammany, just blocks from where Hand worked with his father for 20 years until he died two years ago.

“I just wish he was here to see this,” Hand said.