When it comes to the law and the legal profession, rarely do we see Governor Asa Hutchinson falter.
He did not falter, but actually flourished this past week with his appointment of long-time University of Arkansas Law Professor Howard Brill to fill retiring Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Hannah's seat through the 2016 election cycle.
Hutchinson's naming Brill to the Chief Justice's spot puts to rest any and all speculation about the perceived partisan politics being played by the elite few in black robes in the state's highest court.
In a press conference announcing Brill's appointment, a tiny snippet of the context of the man, the lawyer and the law school professor was uttered by Brill.
Asked about his philosophy of becoming a Supreme Court Justice: "Follow the law and uphold the law and apply the law."
That's a pretty good off the cuff remark.
That's the Howard Brill I have known for 20-plus years.
Brill said he was "overwhelmed and humbled." He took pains to praise retiring Chief Justice Jim Hannah for the way he'd conducted and operated the court -- with professionalism and grace.
Brill said the chief justice is responsible for leading the court and participating in decisions based on Constitution, statute and case precedent.
I couldn't agree more.
Brill also said he sees the chief justice has administrative responsibilities, too. He told those at the press conference the justice should be the face of the court to the state, in education, reaching out to the public and in other ways.
Hutchinson said he'd received perhaps a dozen recommendations and interviewed several for the position.
Brill was asked about past differences on the court. "I'm not looking back at all," he said. "I'm looking forward."
Again, that is the Howard Brill, I have known as a UA Law School Professor and Fayetteville resident for decades. He is an even-tempered, thoughtful and sincere fellow.
Just the fact that his name kept coming up in the previous week did surprise me. Not that Brill would not make a great Chief Justice of the Arkansas State Supreme Court. But he's not a guy tooting this own horn or looking for the spotlight.
He never has, and he never will: That is the Howard Brill, I know.
For the last 40 years, Brill has been a law school faculty member at the University of Arkansas and is now the Vincent Foster University Professor of Legal Ethics and Responsibility.
He's chaired the judicial ethics advisory committee and served on occasion as a special justice on the Supreme Court.
And to put the conservatives' fears to rest, Bill is the advisor to the law school's Christian Legal Society.
For Razorback fans everywhere, Brill served as the University of Arkansas Faculty Representative when the Hogs jumped to the Southeastern Conference in 1995. From 1995 to 2010, Brill served as the University's Faculty Athletics Representative to the NCAA and the Southeastern Conference, fulfilling academic certification and compliance duties. From 2007 to 2010 he also was the Secretary of the Southeastern Conference.
And did I say he is quiet and unassuming? How many people knew that Brill and the UofA had the secretary of the SEC for four years?
He also has a very fine mind.
Look at some of the topics he has chosen and developed for courses in Continuing Legal Education. He is often a speaker on ethics and damages. His programs include: Lessons in the Law from the Life and Music of Johnny Cash; the Razorbacks, the NCAA and the Law; Lawyers in the Movies of John Grisham; the Seven Deadly Sins (lawyer's edition); and The Godfather.
He will fill the seat as Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court with a quiet demeanor of quiet grace, elegance and vast knowledge of the law.
Howard Brill was a great choice Governor.
-- Maylon Rice is a former journalist who worked for several northwest Arkansas publications. He can be reached via email at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 09/02/2015