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Circuit Judge Roger Clark Retired

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Circuit Judge Roger Clark of Gulfport retired Nov. 30 from the Second Circuit Court District of Hancock, Harrison and Stone counties.

Gov. Tate Reeves will appoint a replacement to serve through the end of 2021. A special election will be held in November 2021 for a one-year term.

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Randolph appointed retired Circuit Judge Forrest “Al” Johnson of Natchez as a special judge to preside over the Hancock County term of Circuit Court from Nov. 30 through Dec. 18.

“It has been a pleasure to serve the people of this district and I will miss it after almost sixteen years on the bench,” Judge Clark said in his letter to the Governor announcing his resignation.

Judge Clark was senior judge of the Second Circuit District. He was appointed by Gov. Haley Barbour to a vacancy on the court and took office in January 2005.

He grew up in Iuka and moved to Biloxi to work for the telephone company after he earned an undergraduate degree at the University of Mississippi. After he earned a law degree at the University of Mississippi School of Law, he moved back to the Gulf Coast. He had a civil law practice for 35 years before he was appointed to the bench. He practiced for 32 years with the firm of Bryant, Clark, Dukes and Blakeslee.