NEW ORLEANS (AP) — For the first time in 208 years, a woman will take over as clerk of court at the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Veronica Odinet Koclanes will replace John Olivier when he retires at the end of the year. Olivier has served in that post since 1996, The Advocate reported.

“I appreciate the trust and confidence placed in me by the justices of this Court,” Koclanes said Thursday after the high court announced her appointment. “I am honored to follow the exemplary service of John T. Olivier, who set a high standard over his 25 years as Clerk of Court.

“As was done by those who came before me, I look forward to serving the court and the public with dignity and respect and ensuring the clerk’s office meets the expectations of the court as well as all those parties whose matters come through this office.”

Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer said Koclanes is a well-respected attorney who has spent the last 23 years on the high court’s staff.

“Her experience and knowledge of the court and its processes will serve her well as she takes on the responsibilities of Clerk of Court,” he said.

Koclanes served as a law clerk-research attorney for five justices at the state’s highest court as well as a research attorney for the court’s civil staff division. She also previously served as a law clerk for three judges on the state 4th Circuit Court of Appeal and a legislative clerk in the office of the Senate president for the state Legislature.

From 1992 to 1995, she was an attorney at the New Orleans law firm of Milling, Benson, Woodward, and Hillyer.