Federal judge rules in favor of Johnson for chief justice
September 5, 2012
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana: Judge Susie Morgan of the Eastern District of Louisiana has ruled on the Louisiana Supreme Court chief justice debate, finding that Justice Bernette Johnson has the seniority to serve in the position. The decision was reached following a suit filed by Justice Johnson which intended to prevent her colleagues on the court from weighing in or debating on the successor for retiring Chief Justice Catherine Kimball.[1]
Louisiana is one of six states in which the chief justice of the Supreme Court is selected by seniority. While seniority on the court is normally a straightforward issue, some members of Louisiana's high court have questioned whether Justice Johnson or Justice Jeffrey Victory has served on the court longer. To learn more about the background of the case, read Chief Justice succession controversy in Louisiana now includes lawsuit from July 10, 2012.
With last week's ruling, Justice Johnson and her attorneys hope that Judge Morgan's decision puts an end to the debate.[1]
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