Kimball
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Catherine "Kitty" Kimball announced last week she is retiring from the state's high court in January 2013.
Kimball has served nearly 20 years on the Court.
Elected in November 1992 from the state's Fifth Supreme Court District, she became the first woman to serve on the state Supreme Court.
In January 2009, she was sworn in as head of the Court, also making her the first woman chief justice.
"As of January (2013), I will have served as a Louisiana judge for 30 years, as a Supreme Court justice for 20 years, and as chief justice for four years," Kimball said in a statement April 18.
"After serving the state of Louisiana for so many years, it is time for me to spend some quality time with my family."
Prior to her service on the Court, Kimball served as a district court judge in the 18th Judicial District for 10 years, including two years as chief judge.
In January 2010, she suffered an ischemic stroke, but returned to the bench in December that year.
Kimball has been married to Clyde Kimball, a former state representative and former Deputy Secretary for the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, for more than 40 years.
They have three children and six grandchildren.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.