News

Judge Myers named Presiding Judge of Court of Appeals

November 17, 2005

Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge William H. Myers of Ocean Springs has assumed the administrative duties of a presiding judge.

Court of Appeals Chief Judge Leslie D. King named Judge Myers as one of the court’s two presiding judges effective Nov. 1, 2005. Judge Myers took over the administrative duties formerly performed by Judge Billy G. Bridges, who has announced that he will retire Dec. 31.

Judge Myers has served on the Court of Appeals since June 2000. He was appointed to a vacancy on the court, then was elected to an eight-year term in November 2002.

Judge King said, “I am pleased that Judge Bill Myers has accepted an appointment as a Presiding Judge on the Mississippi Court of Appeals. Bill is a fine person who has a way of always keeping things in perspective. As a judge, Bill has been a strong and productive member of this Court. I believe that he will render invaluable service to the Court as a Presiding Judge. I certainly believe that having his assistance as a presiding judge will make my job as Chief Judge a bit easier.”

Judge Myers said, “I appreciate the appointment. I think that this court is a very energetic and excellent court. We get our work out on time and I certainly will see that continue. I enjoy working with everybody on this court.”

The Court of Appeals handles cases in three-judge panels, although all judges of the court vote on decisions. Presiding judges preside over the panels during oral arguments and during the internal discussion of cases.

The two presiding judges and the chief judge comprise the court’s executive committee, which deals with administrative business of the Court of Appeals.

Judge Joe Lee is the court’s other presiding judge.

The Court of Appeals was created by the Mississippi Legislature in 1994 as an intermediate appellate court to speed the hearing of appeals and relieve a backlog of cases before the Mississippi Supreme Court. The Supreme Court assigns cases to the Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court may accept or decline to review decisions by the Court of Appeals.

Judge Myers previously served eight years as chancellor for the 16th Chancery Court District, which includes Jackson, George and Greene counties. While he was chancellor, Judge Myers served at various times as secretary, vice-chairman and chairman of the Conference of Chancery Judges, and as a member of the Commission on Judicial Performance. He currently serves on the Committee on Continuing Judicial Education and on the Board of Governors of the Mississippi Judicial College.

Judge Myers grew up in Jackson. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi School of Law. He served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1966, attaining the rank of first lieutenant and earning the Army Commendation Medal.

He has been admitted to the practice of law for nearly 37 years. He was in private law practice for 23 years in Pascagoula before he went to the bench.

####