Johnson sworn in as La. chief justice

Bernette J. Johnson

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Bernette Johnson has been sworn in as the first black chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, less than four months after her colleagues resolved a dispute over whether she was entitled to the position.

Johnson took her oath of office during a brief ceremony Friday, a day after her predecessor, Catherine “Kitty” Kimball, formally retired. A public ceremony marking her investiture is scheduled for Feb. 28.

Johnson sued in July after her colleagues said they would debate whether she or Justice Jeffrey Victory, who is white, had the seniority that entitled them to succeed Kimball.

The state’s highest court ended the racially tinged power struggle in October, ruling that Johnson’s years of appointed service count when deciding which justice is “oldest in point of service” under the state constitution.

Comments

1) Comment by Chucky - 01/02/2013

“Why does the Advocate still pander to racial overtones in this day and age?” For the same reason Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and others, it makes money and good for business. Good luck and congratulations Justice Bernette Johnson.

2) Comment by rockynoggin - 01/02/2013

Congratulations to Justice Johnson. But I have to wonder about the tone of this article, insinuating a "racially tinged" power struggle - just because Justice Johnson is black and Justice Victory is white? Why does that even matter. From what I can tell the dispute was over calculation of seniority between the two... would that dispute not have taken place had both been white or both been black? Why does the Advocate still pander to racial overtones in this day and age?

3) Comment by Stephen - 01/02/2013

Bravo! She will do a great job.