Keith Ball of Jackson New Southern District Magistrate Judge
Keith Ball of Jackson has been named the new Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi. Ball replaces the popular retiring Magistrate Judge James Sumner. Ball beat out four other finalists and many more applicants from a field narrowed by the Magistrate Selection Panel. The sitting Southern District Judges made the selection.
Ball is originally from Jackson and is a 1990 graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law. He practiced in Jackson as a civil litigation defense lawyer with Phelps Dunbar and Currie Johnson before moving to Louisville. In Louisville he had a general practice that is typical for many small town lawyers. He stayed in Louisville for about five years before returning to Jackson for another stint with Currie Johnson. At the time of his selection as Magistrate Judge, Ball was working as the Director of Development at Reformed University Ministries.
I expect Ball to be a popular Magistrate. The fact that he has two stints with the same law firm suggests that he gets along with people and does not burn bridges.
I am not nearly as concerned that Ball drinks the defense side cool-aide because of his years in a general practice in Louisville. This comment is not a slam of defense lawyers. I would not want a judge who drinks the plaintiff side cool-aide either.
Great judges are the ones who both sides believe are fair. Ball has the potential to be that kind of judge.
