Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Schwartz received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tulane University in 1943 and was in the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant from 1943 to 1945, remaining in the United States Army Reserve from 1946 to 1965 and attaining the rank of Major.

He received a Juris Doctor from Tulane University Law School in 1947 and was then in private practice in New Orleans until 1976.

[1] On March 23, 1976, Schwartz was nominated by President Gerald Ford to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana vacated by Judge Herbert William Christenberry.

Schwartz was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 6, 1976, and received his commission on May 7, 1976.

Concurrent to his federal judicial service, he taught as an adjunct professor of law at Tulane University, starting in 1977.