State of Mississippi Judiciary

Investiture ceremony held for Rankin County Court Judge David Morrow

November 10, 2021

Rankin County Court Judge David L. Morrow Jr. said that he will seek God’s guidance and surround himself with a team of good people.

“I pledge to you that I will walk with God and that I will make decisions that He would have me make,” Judge Morrow told a crowd gathered at the Rankin County Justice Center in Brandon on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 10.

“I am blessed to be surrounded by good people,” he said, introducing some of his staff.

Gov. Tate Reeves appointed Judge Morrow to the vacancy created by Rankin County Court Judge Kent McDaniel’s Sept. 30 retirement. Judge McDaniel gave Judge Morrow the oath of office on the afternoon of Sept. 30 so that he could go to work at the start of his appointive term on Oct. 1. Judge McDaniel administered a ceremonial oath on Nov. 10 before a courtroom full of public officials, family and friends. It is traditional to hold a formal oath ceremony at a later time.

Early in the program, Rankin County Chancellor Haydn Roberts asked all military veterans in the audience to stand and be recognized.

Judge Morrow, a U.S. Air Force veteran, said that he will take the same approach that he did as a young Second Lieutenant commanding experienced non-commissioned officers who had been in the Air Force longer than he had been alive: he will listen to and rely upon the team. “Together as a team we were able to accomplish a lot more than we would have been able to accomplish as individuals,” he said.

A dozen judges, from the trial courts of Rankin and Madison counties, the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, attended the ceremony. “I love the show of unity here,” Judge Morrow said.

U.S. Congressman Michael Guest, guest speaker at the swearing in ceremony, called Judge Morrow “a man of honor and integrity....I am excited to see what he is going to be able to accomplish as our County Court Judge.”

Judge Roberts said that Judge Morrow is much more than a judge. He’s a family man – a father and grandfather with a long history of involvement in his community.

Rankin County Chancery Clerk Larry Swales said, “He has a great heart.”

Judge Morrow said that Judge McDaniel wanted him to be the next Rankin County Court Judge. “He’s been telling me for years, ‘When I retire, I want you to take my job.’ ”

Judge McDaniel told the crowd, “He’s perfect for this job.”

Congressman Guest also praised Judge McDaniel’s 24 years of service as Rankin County Court Judge. The former District Attorney said, “Thank you for the impact you have had on my life.”

Judge McDaniel was visibly moved by the tribute.

Judge Morrow graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree. He served for five years on active duty, earning the rank of Captain. He earned a law degree from Mississippi College School of Law, and was admitted to the practice of law in 1998. His private law practice included real estate, domestic, probate, trusts and wills. He served as attorney for the Rankin County Board of Supervisors from January 2002 until December 2007. He began serving as a Rankin County Chancery Court family master in 2016.

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