Judge Wingate Confirms that Keith Ball is the New Southern District Magistrate

Posted on November 24, 2009 by Philip Thomas

Last Monday I reported that Keith Ball has been selected as the new Magistrate Judge for the Southern District. I had heard the news the previous Friday from someone who was not on the Magistrate Selection Panel.

Then last Wednesday I heard that one of the Southern District Judges was telling lawyers that no announcement had been made on the selection yet. 

But the Clarion-Ledger reported this morning that Judge Wingate confirmed that Keith Ball is the choice:

 U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate, chief judge for the Southern District, on Monday confirmed Ball's selection.

On another note, I saw a comment on another blog that Judge Winston Kidd's name has been submitted for the vacant 5th Circuit Court of Appeals seat. I'm not sure what the person meant by "submitted", but I do not believe it to be true unless he meant that Judge Kidd was one of many potential candidates submitted to the White House for consideration. 

It's my understanding that the White House is still in the vetting process and has not decided on a nominee.  The slow pace of President Obama filling judicial vacancies continues to receive national attention. The White House attorneys in charge of the selection and vetting process are leaving their posts soon, which threatens to further slow the process.

Every so often I am asked my opinion of what it might mean that there has been no announcement for the vacant Southern District Court or 5th Circuit positions. I do not believe that much should be read into it. The White House is just slow in this area. I would not read anything else into it until most of the other open slots around the country are filled with ours still open.

There could be announcements soon, or not for a long time. I don't think anyone really knows which it will be.

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Keith Ball of Jackson New Southern District Magistrate Judge

Posted on November 15, 2009 by Philip Thomas

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.   

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