Chief Justice

Arkansas Supreme Court majority blocks chief justice’s attempt to fire 10 judiciary employees

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Two days after being sworn in, the Arkansas Supreme Court’s new chief justice attempted to fire several employees of the state court system, which a majority of the court claimed was inappropriate, “unnecessary and unfortunate.”

Five of six associate justices — Rhonda Wood, Barbara Webb, Shawn Womack, Cody Hiland and Nicholas Bronni — issued an administrative order Friday saying Chief Justice Karen Baker did not have the authority to fire 10 Administrative Office of the Courts employees for whom she’d prepared termination letters.

Some AOC employees, including the director, cannot be terminated without approval from at least four of the Supreme Court’s seven members, the five justices stated. Other workers cannot be fired without the AOC director’s approval, which Director Marty Sullivan did not give.

Arkansas Supreme Court majority blocks chief justice’s attempt to fire 10 judiciary employees

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

The Arkansas Supreme Court building in Little Rock.

Justice Barbara Webb believes her experience qualifies her for Chief Justice role

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Barbara Webb said her career background has provided her with immense diversity in being the best choice to serve as the state’s next Chief Justice.

Webb, who appeared on this week’s Capitol View program, is seeking the seat held by Chief Justice John Dan Kemp, who is retiring. Justices Karen Baker and Rhonda Wood are also seeking the Chief Justice position.

“I feel like my career path has led me to this opportunity. From being a courtroom attorney in private practice to then being a prosecuting attorney in the courtroom, and then to coming on the court as a Supreme Court Justice, I just feel like the next step or the right step for me where I can give back is to be Chief Justice,” Webb said.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/08/justice-barbara-webb-believes-her-experience-qualifies-her-for-chief-justice-role/

Justice Barbara Webb.