MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blount, Turner, Harden, Tollison, Baria, Jordan, Jackson (11th), Butler (38th), Powell, Jones, Butler (36th), Jackson (32nd), Simmons, Horhn, Frazier, Davis, Fillingane, Hopson, Montgomery, Stone
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING HONORABLE CARLTON W. REEVES OF TERRY, MISSISSIPPI, UPON HIS CONFIRMATION AS UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI BY THE UNITED STATES SENATE.
WHEREAS, on Sunday, December 19, 2010, the United States Senate confirmed Jackson attorney and former prosecutor Carlton W. Reeves as the United States District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, President Barack Obama nominated Judge Reeves on April 28, 2010, to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William Barbour, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Judge Reeves, a native of Yazoo County who was born in 1964, is a partner in the law firm of Pigott Reeves Johnson P.A. in Jackson, Mississippi. He also served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney from 1995 to 2001, where he was Chief of the Southern District's Civil Division. "He has the kind of good mind and good heart that will enable him to be a good judge," said former U.S. Attorney Brad Pigott. "Our time working together everyday confirms that"; and
WHEREAS, "Carlton Reeves brings a diverse background of service to the bench," United States Senator Roger Wicker said. "Qualified, impartial judges are critical to continuing our nation's legal traditions." "There was never any disagreement among Democrats and the delegation whether Carlton was the right one," Second District Representative Bennie Thompson said. "As a native of Yazoo City, he never forgot about his home." Reeves said he was honored Thompson, Cochran and Wicker each believed in his abilities. "I trust that his legal experience will serve him and the people well as he takes on this important responsibility," United States Senator Thad Cochran said; and
WHEREAS, Carlton Reeves received his B.A. Political Science, 1986 magna cum laude, from Jackson State University and his J.D., 1989, from the University of Virginia School of Law; and
WHEREAS, he served as Special Master, Hinds County Chancery Court, 2007; Assistant United States Attorney, Chief of Civil Division, Southern District of Mississippi, 1995-2001; and member, Civil Chiefs Working Group, Department of Justice, Executive Office of United States Attorneys; and
WHEREAS, he has litigated and tried numerous cases to verdict in state and federal court; served as lead counsel and participated in numerous appeals in federal and state appellate courts, including the United States Supreme Court, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Mississippi Supreme Court and the Mississippi Court of Appeals. He represented plaintiffs and defendants, including individuals, public agencies and Fortune 500 companies, in a variety of areas, including personal injury, product liability, employment discrimination including age, sex and national origin discrimination, Fair Labor Standards Act, civil rights, constitutional torts, election law, redistricting, commercial litigation, administrative law, civil fraud, false claims, securities fraud and silica mass tort litigation; and
WHEREAS, Judge Reeves' community service and professional associations:
· President, Magnolia Bar Association, 2007-2008;
· President, Magnolia Bar Foundation, 2003-2005;
· Commissioner, Mississippi Board of Bar Commissioners;
· Member, Mississippi Advisory Committee, United States
Commission on Civil Rights;
· Member, Mississippi Judicial Study Commission;
· Member, Mississippi Access to Justice Commission;
· Member, Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel, United States District Court, Southern District of Mississippi;
· Bencher, Charles Clark Chapter, American Inns of Court;
· Board member, Mississippi Legal Services;
· Board member, Mississippi Center for Justice;
· Board member, Greater Jackson Community Foundation; and
· Board of Trustees, College Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Judge Reeves' considerable awards and citations include:
· R. Jess Brown Award, Magnolia Bar Association;
· Alfred E. Rhodes Service Award, Magnolia Bar Association;
· Brown, Young & Hall Award, Jackson Branch NAACP;
· Pro Bono Award, Hinds County Bar Association;
· Curtis E. Coker Access to Justice Award, Mississippi State Bar Association;
· Certificate of Commendation, Civil Rights Division, United States Department of Justice (2000);
· Top 40 Under 40, Mississippi Business Journal;
· Mid-South Super Lawyers 2006;
· Silver Life Member, NAACP; and
· Life Member, Jackson State University Alumni Association; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we acknowledge this qualified, impartial judge who brings a diverse background of service to the bench and who has brought honor to The Mississippi Bar and to our state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Honorable Carlton W. Reeves of Terry, Mississippi, upon his confirmation as United States District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi by the United States Senate on Sunday, December 19, 2010, and extend our best wishes to him and his family on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Judge Carlton Reeves, forwarded to Mississippi's congressional delegation and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.