The new day in the Orleans District Attorney’s office started at 8 am. That's when the new DA Leon Cannizaro called his staff together for a meeting.

Cannizzaro admits his marching orders were short and too the point.

"I am not a person who has the reputation of working simply from 9 to 5, nor do I simply work Mondays through Fridays," said Cannizzaro. "I would expect them to observe that same work ethic."

Cannizzaro introduced his senior staffers, all but one familiar faces.

Val Solino stays on as first assistant, at least though January.

Interim DA Bobby Freeman is now head of the screening division.

The new hire, former ADA and veteran litigator Joe Meyer becomes chief of trials.

"It's just a matter, as the judge says, of getting in and doing some work," said Meyer. "First thing I'm going to do is lose 15 to 10 pounds and get down to fighting weight."

Meyer figures to have the new DA looking over his shoulder.

Cannizzaro says he plans to "micro-manage" the trial division and personally walk the halls at Tulane and Broad.

"I foresee myself going into the courtrooms," said Cannazzaro. "I am not going to be opposed to picking up a file on occasion and helping with the motions of a trial to facilitate the docket movement."

Cannizaro now has about a week before he has to go before the New Orleans City Council to ask for more money.

Mayor Ray Nagin's budget proposal does not replace the federal funds now paying for dozens of investigators and clerical workers.

"I understand I need five votes on the council to over-ride the mayor's veto of his refusal to place the $1.3-million in budget which we need in order to keep those 34 employees.

The new district attorney left little doubt that he plans to hold all of his staffers to a very high standard. All of his employees were given drug tests.

"Because of the very highly sensitive nature of the matters we are involved with, I want to make sure that each and every employee in this office is drug free," said Cannizzaro.

There was one noticeable change in the transition. Leon Cannizzaro's daughter, who worked under the previous administration, will not be working for her dad.