Justices of the Mississippi Supreme Court welcomed Justice James D. Maxwell II of Oxford as the newest member of the court on Jan. 4 when he took the oath of office in the Supreme Court En Banc Courtroom in Jackson.
Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr., who administered the oath, said, “He has had an exemplary career on the Court of Appeals. He is going to add a great deal to the Supreme Court.”
Justice Maxwell said he looks forward to working with the other justices of the Supreme Court. He thanked his former Court of Appeals colleagues and staff, and his family. His wife Mindy, children Mae Covington and Trip, parents James and BeBe Maxwell of Derma, and his aunt and uncle, Mildred and Eugene Dauphin of Natchez, accompanied him at the ceremony.
A formal investiture ceremony will be held at a later date.
Gov. Phil Bryant appointed Justice Maxwell to the Supreme Court position formerly held by David Chandler of Ackerman. The Governor appointed Chandler as executive director of the Division of Family and Children’s Services.
Justice Maxwell served on the Mississippi Court of Appeals for almost seven years. He is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi. He earned his undergraduate degree and juris doctorate from the University of Mississippi.
Supreme Court Justice James D. Maxwell II, second from left, takes the oath of office Jan. 4. Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr., at right, administers the oath while Mindy Maxwell, the new justice’s wife, holds the Bible. Justice Maxwell is flanked by their children, Mae Covington and Trip.