MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Norwood, Jackson (11th), Blount, Butler (36th), Butler (38th), Frazier, Thomas, Horhn, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Barnett
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE JUDICIAL SERVICE OF HINDS COUNTY CHANCELLOR DENISE SWEET OWENS ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, we join the judicial community of Hinds County in recognizing the service of Chancellor Denise Sweet Owens who has announced that she is not seeking re-election; and
WHEREAS, Judge Denise Owens was elected in 1989 as Chancellor for Hinds County, Mississippi, and is presently Senior Judge; and
WHEREAS, a 1972 graduate of Tougaloo College and 1979 graduate of George Washington University Law School, Judge Owens completed advanced studies at the American Business Court Judges Law and Economics Institute; and
WHEREAS, Judge Owens was an attorney with Legal Services from 1979 to 1982, and from 1983 to 1986, was Partner and Managing Attorney for Owens & Owens Law Firm. She has also been an Adjunct Professor at Tougaloo, Hinds Community College and Jackson State University; and
WHEREAS, Judge Owens is Past Secretary, Vice Chair and Chairperson of the Mississippi Conference of Chancery Judges. She is a member of The Mississippi Bar; the Mississippi Bar Foundation; the National Association of Women Judges; and the Magnolia Bar; and
WHEREAS, Judge Owens was appointed as Co-Chairperson of the Mississippi Access to Justice Commission. She is a member of the American Bar and the National Bar. She was the recipient of the 2010 Chief Justice Award from the Mississippi Supreme Court, 2009 Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Pioneer Award, The 2010 Tougaloo College Meritorious Leadership Award, 2006 Hinds County Bar Judicial Innovation Award, 2003 Mississippi Bar Fellow and the 2002 Magnolia Bar Government Service Award; and
WHEREAS, Judge Owens served as a leader and mentor. Her tenure honored both The Mississippi Bar and this Great State: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the Judicial Service of Hinds County Chancellor Denise Sweet Owens on the occasion of her retirement and extend the best wishes of the Senate for her future professional success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Judge Owens and her family, forwarded to the Hinds County Bar Association and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.