Administrative Office of Courts
Mississippi Supreme Court names two to administrative posts The Mississippi Supreme Court has promoted longtime Central Legal Staff Director Jack Pool of Jackson to Court Administrator and Counsel. The Court also combined positions and duties of the director of Central Legal Staff with that of deputy court administrator. Hubbard T. Saunders IV of Canton, who previously served as the Court’s editor of opinions, has been appointed Central Legal Staff director and deputy court administrator. Supreme Court Chief Justice James W. Smith Jr., in announcing the appointments, said, “Jack Pool’s selection as counsel for the Court and court administrator was a unanimous choice by the Court based upon a distinguished record of service to the Court, unique qualifications and a tremendous work ethic. Hubby Saunders’s selection was also unanimous and based upon his special qualifications and service to the legal profession in litigation and appellate practice.” The changes were effective on Monday, Nov. 14. Pool has been a practicing attorney for 45 years. He served as director of the Central Legal Staff since 1994. His work for the Court earned him the Chief Justice Award in 2003 and again in 2005. Pool, a native of Natchez, previously worked in the oil business and had a private law practice in Natchez. He earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law. Pool fills the position left vacant by the Oct. 4 death of Supreme Court Administrator and Counsel Stephen J. Kirchmayr. The Supreme Court administrator and counsel oversees the administrative functions of the Court. This includes oversight of the budget, personnel, planning and all other non-judicial functions of the Mississippi Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. The Central Legal Staff is comprised of eight lawyers who provide legal research to the Supreme Court. Saunders, who has practiced law for 30 years, became editor of opinions for the Supreme Court on Jan. 1, 1999. He served previously as a special assistant attorney general from 1977 to 1981, working in the federal litigation division of the Attorney General’s office. He worked in private practice from 1976 to 1977 and again from 1981 to 1998. Saunders earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law. #### |
