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Three reappointed to Board of Bar Admissions

September 30, 2022

Judge Deborah Gambrell Chambers receives Judicial Excellence Award

The Mississippi Supreme Court reappointed attorneys Marcie Fyke Baria of Bay St. Louis, Pieter Teeuwissen of Jackson and Gwendolyn Baptist-Rucker of Southaven to the Board of Bar Admissions on Sept. 21.

New three-year terms begin Nov. 1.

Baria has served as chair of the Board since November 2018, having been selected as an officer by fellow members of the Board. She previously served for three years as vice-chair. She was first appointed to the Board in 2007. Justice Dawn Beam reappointed her for the new term on the Board. Baria practiced law in Jackson and on the Gulf Coast for approximately 25 years and is now retired. She works extensively with community and non-profit organizations.

Teeuwissen is vice-chair of the Board. He served previous terms as chairman and vice-chairman. He has been a member of the Board of Bar Admissions since March 25, 2002. Presiding Justice Leslie D. King reappointed him to the new term. Teeuwissen previously served as board attorney to the Hinds County Board of Supervisors and city attorney for the city of Jackson. He practices law at Simon & Teeuwissen, PLLC in Jackson.

Baptist-Rucker has served on the Board of Bar Admissions since November 2010. She was reappointed to the Board by Justice James D. Maxwell II. She is an attorney and certified public accountant. She previously worked for the Internal Revenue Service and served as an adjunct professor of business law, real estate and accounting at LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis. She is the founder of Baptist Law Firm, PLLC. She also serves on the Board of Directors of North Mississippi Rural Legal Services and on the Board of the Institute of Community Services.

The Board of Bar Admissions administers the rules and statutes governing admission to the practice of law in Mississippi. The Board oversees the preparation, administration and evaluation of two bar examinations each year. The Board also, in conjunction with its Committee on Character and Fitness, oversees the investigation and evaluation of the character and fitness of each person who applies to become a member of the Mississippi Bar.

 

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