Gingerich retires from court office

March 27 - April 2, 2017

By the Daily Record Staff

Friends and colleagues of J.D. Gingerich turned out in force at the Justice Building in Little Rock on March 15 for a reception to honor the retiring director of the administrative office of the courts.

In a press release last month it was stated that Gingerich would become the director of a new partnership between the National Center for State Courts and the Bowen School of Law.

In the release, Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Dan Kemp said, “I have worked with J.D. since he first became the director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. I appreciate his service, leadership and wise counsel during his tenure at the AOC. I wish him well in his future endeavors.”

In August of last year Gingerich was named recipient of the Kenneth R. Palmer Distinguished Service Award. The presentation was made during the joint meeting of the Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) during their annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. The award is presented every other year to a current or former member of COSCA who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and excellence in judicial administration.

Retired Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jack W. Holt, one of the many dignitaries attending the reception, said,  “J.D., as director during my tenure, furnished me advice, wise council and speech writing; and on quick call, performed many grunt tasks at my request. His assistance in the passage of constitutional amendments, statutory measures and in the creation of our drug courts during my time as Chief Justice is beyond good measure.”

Gingerich has been director of the office since 1988.

PHOTO CAPTION:

J.D. Gingerich (left) makes comments to the crowd during his retirement reception on March 15 at the Justice Building. Standing to the right of Gingerich are Arkansas Supreme Court Justices Karen Baker, Courtney Goodson, Jo Hart and Chief Justice Dan Kemp. (Photo by Nick Popowitch)