James Robert Hannah

James Robert Hannah

Arkansas Supreme Court
Biography

Date Elected or Appointed to Current Position:
2004
Education:
Harrison High School University of Arkansas School of Law - JD University of Arkansas - BSBA (Accounting)
Law-Related Employment:
City Attorney for Augusta, Bradford, Des Arc, Garner, Kensett, and Rosebud; Searcy City Attorney (1969-1978); Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Woodruff County.
Law Practice or Teaching Areas:
Private Law Practice/Lightle, Tedder, Hannah & Beebe Law Firm (Searcy); National Judicial College, faculty advisor; Harding University, former instructor.
Prior Judicial Experience:
City Judge for Kensett and Rosebud; White County Juvenile Court and the Juvenile Probate Office, Est. & Implemented; White County Juvenile Judge (1976-1978); Chancery/Probate Judge, 17th Judicial District (1979-1999); Associate Justice, Arkansas Supreme Court, Position 5 (2001-2004); Chief Justice, Arkansas Supreme Court, Position 1 (2005 to present).
Associations:
Conference of Chief Justices, president; National Center for State Courts, Chair of the Board of Directors; State Justice Institute, board member; Arkansas Judicial Council, past president and board member; Arkansas Bar Association; Conference of Chief Justices, past board member; Chair of Conference of Chief Justices Committee on Courts, Children & Families; Conference of Chief Justices Judicial Excellence Committee, member; Conference of Chief Justices Government Affairs Committee, member; American Bar Association Fellow; Committee on Federal - State Jurisdiction of the Judicial Conference of the United States, member; Executive Session for State Court Leaders, Harvard, University.
Publications:
Forgotten Law and Judicial Duty, 70 Alb. L. Rev. 829 (2007).
Other:
Court Leadership Symposium, Harvard, University; Innovations in Governance, Harvard, University; Ozark Ambassador Award, North Arkansas College Foundation; American Judges Association, past member

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Arkansas
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Professional Experience
Justice
Arkansas Supreme Court
- Current
Chief Justice since 2004
Chancery/Probate Judge
17th Judicial District, Arkansas
-
Juvenile Judge
White County, Arkansas
-
City Attorney
Searcy, Arkansas
-
Education
University of Arkansas School of Law
J.D. | Law
University of Arkansas School of Law Logo
University of Arkansas School of Law
undergraduate degree | Accounting
University of Arkansas School of Law Logo
Professional Associations
Arkansas State Bar
Member
Current
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Conference of Chief Justices
President
Current
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National Center for State Courts
Chair of the Board of Directors
Current
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State Justice Institute
Board Member
Current
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Arkansas Judicial Council
Board Member and Past President
Current
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American Bar Association
Fellow
Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Forgotten Law and Judicial Duty
Alb. L. Rev.
Websites & Blogs
Website
Court biography
Website
Arkansas Supreme Court
Contact & Map
Arkansas Justice Building
625 Marshall Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
Telephone: (501) 682-9400