Griffis sworn in for 8-year term on bench

Griffis sworn in for 8-year term on bench

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Chief Justice Mike Randolph swore in Associate Justice Kenny Griffis of Ridgeland on Monday at the Mississippi Supreme Court in Jackson.

Griffis took the oath of office to begin an eight-year term.

“I’m proud for the opportunity to continue to serve,” Griffis said.

Griffis was appointed to a vacancy on the Supreme Court on Feb. 1, 2019, and was elected to an eight-year term on Nov. 3, 2020. The elected position is one of two on the Supreme Court, which have a 14-month delay between the time of election and the beginning of the elective term.

Randolph noted that Griffis’ lengthy service and experience on the Court of Appeals is an asset to the Supreme Court. Griffis previously served on the Court of Appeals for 16 years and was that court’s Chief Judge at the time he was appointed to the Supreme Court. 

Three other justices previously served on the Court of Appeals: Presiding Justice Leslie D. King, former Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals; Justice James D. Maxwell II; and Justice David M. Ishee. 

The nine members of the Supreme Court have a combined 122 years of appellate court service.

Randolph said that having such experienced jurists allows the Supreme Court to resolve cases expeditiously and efficiently. In 2021, the average days from final brief to decision for the Supreme Court was 168 days.

Griffis is a native of Meridian. He earned accounting and law degrees from the University of Mississippi. He serves as an adjunct professor of law at the Mississippi College School of Law and the University of Mississippi School of Law.

He and his wife, Mary Helen, are the parents of five boys. They live in Ridgeland and attend Christ United Methodist Church. 

He has served as a Sunday School teacher, a Cub Scout leader and a coach for more than 80 youth sports teams, including baseball, basketball, soccer and hockey.






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