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CONTACT PERSON: VALERIE WILLARD
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
(504) 310-2590
| OCTOBER 26, 2012 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
On October 16, 2012, after briefing, deliberation and review, the Louisiana Supreme Court issued its opinion in In Re Office of Chief Justice, 12-O-1342, unanimously concluding that under the Louisiana Constitution, Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson is the judge “oldest in point of service” and thus will succeed to the office of Chief Justice upon the retirement of Chief Justice Catherine D. Kimball. This opinion is now final.
Commenting on the finality of this opinion, Chief Justice Kimball issued the following statement: “Now that the delay for rehearing has run and the opinion issued by this court is final, I wish to publicly congratulate my distinguished colleague Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson, who will become Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court upon my retirement on January 31, 2013. In addition to the achievement of being the first African-American Louisiana Chief Justice, Justice Johnson should also be recognized for her experience on the bench, including her eighteen years of service on the Supreme Court, her judicial temperament, her skills as a jurist, her compassion, and her dedication to the law. I have every confidence that Justice Johnson will excel in her new administrative role, and I know she and her fellow Justices will continue to make strides in judicial reform.”
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