Special to The Mississippi Link
JACKSON – An investiture ceremony for Judge Ermea J. Russell, the first black woman to sit on a Mississippi appellate court, has been scheduled for Monday, June 27, at 3 p.m., at the Gartin Justice Building, 450 High Street in Jackson.
The investiture will be webcast on the State of Mississippi Judiciary web site, www.mssc.state.ms.us. Supreme Court Justice Leslie D. King will administer the oath of office.
Judge Russell was appointed by Gov. Haley Barbour to fill the vacancy created on the Court of Appeals when Barbour appointed Justice King to the Supreme Court.
Judge Russell, of Flora, was sworn in and began her duties May 20. A Supreme Court spokesman said it is traditional to have a formal investiture ceremony at a later time.
Judge Russell has worked in the federal government, all three branches of state government, advised officials of fledgling foreign democracies, and served in the United States military.
She was also the first female to serve as a Circuit Judge in Hinds County when she was appointed by Gov. Kirk Fordice in April 1998.
Judge Russell, the youngest of six children, grew up in Butler, Ala. She earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of West Alabama, formerly Livingston University. She earned a law degree from Mississippi College School of Law.
She has worked in all three branches of state government. In October 1985, a few months after she graduated from law school, she became a staff attorney in the office of the Mississippi Secretary of State. She served as director of the Uniform Commercial Code Division. She then served as staff attorney for the Mississippi Senate from December 1986 to May 1990.
Judge Russell directed development of affirmative action policies to improve minority participation in higher education at the state’s eight public universities following her appointment in May 1990 as assistant commissioner for intercultural relations for the Institutions of Higher Learning. She became chief legal counsel to Lt. Gov. Eddie Briggs in January 1992. She was unanimously elected by the 52-member body to serve as Secretary of the Mississippi Senate in January 1993, and served for three years.
Judge Russell was selected by the United States Information Agency to serve as a legislative consultant to fledgling governments formed after the breakup of the former Soviet Union. She served as an advisor to the Parliament of the Republic of Armenia and to the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Following her time as a circuit judge, she returned to private practice briefly before joining the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as a senior trial attorney. She litigated on behalf of the government in enforcing the laws against employment discrimination.
Judge Russell is a decorated veteran with more than 37 years of military service. She served in increasing positions of leadership and retired at the rank of colonel in September 2010. She is a veteran of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Judge Russell has received numerous awards and citations for outstanding performance and service to include the Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Bronze Star.
Judge Russell is a member of the Mississippi Bar, the American Bar Association, the Magnolia Bar Association, the Charles Clark American Inns of Court, the Mississippi Women Lawyers Association and the Southern Association of Mediators. She is a former member of the Board of Bar Commissioners and the Governor’s Judicial Reform Commission.
Judge Russell is a member of Morning Star Baptist Church and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
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