Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Hannah distributed a farwell letter today marking the end of his judicial service. He’ll be succeeded tomorrow for the remainder of his term, through 2016, by gubernatorial appointee Howard Brill.

Hannah didn’t detail the health issues that prompted his early retirement and he went out in his customary fashion, with kind words for colleagues and those who’d allowed him to serve.

Advertisement

He described as one of the “joys” of the job carrying out the chief justice’s responsibility of the administration of the justice system.

Administration has been a source of some contention within the court in recent months, as a clique of judges banded together to form a court majority to take such administrative duties as hiring of court personnel and pay levels from the chief justice, among other divisions, some related to the bungled same-sex marriage case. Even scheduling court photographs became difficult. In his brief remarks, appointee Brill also noted that administration was one of the chief justice’s duties. The Supreme Court gang of four — Karen Baker, Jo Hart, Courtney Goodson and Rhonda Wood (sometimes five with Robin Wynne) — might have something to say about that. The seventh justice, Paul Danielson, sided with Hannah in a dispute that broke into the open on whether Rhonda Wood should sit on the marriage case, with the others siding with Wood in an action Hannah and Danielson described as an effort to delay justice.

Advertisement

Hannah’s seat will be on the ballot in March. No one has announced, but Goodson is expected to seek the office.

Advertisement

Invest in the future of great journalism in Arkansas

Join the ranks of the 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts who know that the Arkansas Times is the go-to source for tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been on the front lines of the fight for truth, and with your support, we can do even more. By subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers and expand our coverage. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make a difference with your subscription or donation to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article Arkansas Democrats hire new executive director Next article Texas secession movement grows