MS SC516

Recognizes Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice Leslie D. King for receiving the National Judicial College's "60 Courageous Judges Award" during the NJC's 60th Anniversary Celebration on December 7

King is Mississippi's longest-serving Appellate Judge with 29 years of service, serving as an original member of the Court of Appeals starting in January 1995 and joining the Supreme Court in 2011

King was the first African-American chief judge of the Court of Appeals, a position he held for nearly seven years before his Supreme Court appointment

King previously served 15 years in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1980 to 1994, including roles as vice-chairman of two committees and chairman of the Mississippi Black Legislative Caucus in 1988

King was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1973 and has practiced law for over 50 years, with early career experience as a Youth Court Counselor, Public Defender, and Municipal Court Judge