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In re Retirement of Imber

Supreme Court of Arkansas
Nov 19, 2009
(Ark. Nov. 19, 2009)

Opinion

Opinion Delivered November 19, 2009


Upon her retirement as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Arkansas, the court recognizes and expresses appreciation to Justice Annabelle Clinton Imber for her dedicated service to the state of Arkansas and this court. Justice Imber's tireless devotion to the administration of justice is evidenced by her willingness to serve on committees of the court, the bar, and the Judicial Council; to teach continuing legal education seminars; and to judge moot court competitions, all while managing her substantial case load. Her influence on the judiciary is far reaching, be it through the well-reasoned judicial opinions she writes, the respect and dignity she affords to each party on appeal, or the standards of excellence and commitment to justice that she instills in her law clerks.

Justice Imber's contributions to the bench and bar began in 1977 when she graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law. She practiced law in Little Rock, eventually becoming a partner in the Wright, Lindsey Jennings law firm. In 1984, then-Governor Bill Clinton appointed her to serve as circuit judge for the Fifth Division of the Sixth Judicial District. Later, Justice Imber was elected chancery judge for the Sixth Division of the Sixth Judicial District, where she served from 1989 to 1996. It was during this time that Justice Imber presided over the Lake View case and declared that the public-school financing system then in effect violated the equal protection and education provisions of the Arkansas Constitution. In 1997, Justice Imber became the first woman elected to the Supreme Court of Arkansas.

While much could be said about her work as a lawyer and a judge, as well as her work in the community, we take this opportunity to briefly mention a few areas in which she has so ably served this court. Justice Imber served on the court's Amendment 80 Committee, which was formed to oversee implementation of amendment 80 to the Arkansas Constitution. She has also served for a number of years as the liaison to the Supreme Court Committee on Civil Practice. In her service to these committees, Justice Imber has played a pivotal role in carrying out one of the court's constitutional duties — its rule-making authority.

Justice Imber currently serves as a member of the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission. Upon her retirement, she will continue to work with the Commission to help further the cause of providing legal services to Arkansans with limited resources.

This court and the people of Arkansas have been well served by Justice Imber's commitment to the judiciary. We commend her for her faithful service and wish her success in her future endeavors.


Summaries of

In re Retirement of Imber

Supreme Court of Arkansas
Nov 19, 2009
(Ark. Nov. 19, 2009)
Case details for

In re Retirement of Imber

Case Details

Full title:IN RE: THE RETIREMENT OF JUSTICE Annabelle Clinton IMBER

Court:Supreme Court of Arkansas

Date published: Nov 19, 2009

Citations

(Ark. Nov. 19, 2009)