February 23rd, 2011
Gov. Haley Barbour today announced
the appointment of Judge Leslie D. King to the Mississippi
Supreme Court effective today. King serves as
Chief Judge of the Mississippi Court of Appeals.
King replaces Justice James Graves, who was sworn in as a
judge on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday. King
will serve the remainder of the term through December 2012.
The Governor’s Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee will
recommend a replacement for King’s District 2, Position 2
seat on the appellate bench, representing the Second
Congressional District.
"I thank Judge King for accepting this position on the
state Supreme Court," Gov. Barbour said. "His extensive
knowledge of Mississippi's legal system and his dedication
to public service made him the top choice for this
position."
King has served on the Court of Appeals since its
creation. He was elected in 1994 to the District 2, Position
2 seat on the court. Previously, the Greenville native
served in the Mississippi House of Representatives beginning
in 1980. During his tenure, he served as vice-chairman of
the Ways and Means Committee and vice-chairman of the
Conservation and Water Resources Committee. Other committees
on which King served include: Judiciary, Insurance,
Environmental Protection Council, Housing Finance Oversight,
and Universities and Colleges. He also was chairman of the
Mississippi Black Legislative Caucus in 1988.
King began practicing law in 1973 and served as Youth
Court Counselor for Washington County, Public Defender,
Youth Court Prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge for the
town of Metcalfe. He graduated from the University of
Mississippi in 1970 and from the Texas Southern University
School of Law in 1973.
King and his wife, the former Patricia Smith of
Greenville, have two daughters. They attend the St. Matthew
African Methodist Episcopal Church in Greenville.
