LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline)-Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Bill Bowen is resigning his seat six days after being sworn in, citing health issues.
Bowen, 86, was to complete the term of Justice Annabelle Clinton Imber, who had to resign due to health reasons.
Bowen is a World War II veteran and was Bill Clinton's chief of staff during his first presidential campaign.
He practiced law for 17 years and worked as a bank executive for 20 years. In 1995, he became the dean of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law. In 2000, the law school was renamed in honor of Bowen.
Gov. Mike Beebe said in a statement: "While this news is a disappointment, my thoughts are first and foremost focused on Bill's health and well being."
The Arkansas Supreme Court has a chief justice and six associate justices, with eight year terms. They stagger the elections so the whole court is not changed at once.
Bowen to leave Ark. Supreme Court
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