University alumnus Leroy R. Hassell Sr. was elected chief justice of the Virginia Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Gov. Mark R. Warner praised Hassell's selection, saying, "I am confident that under Justice Hassell's leadership, the Supreme Court of Virginia will continue to provide impartial justice to all who appear before the court."
Hassell, who graduated from the University in 1977 with a degree in government and foreign affairs and has served on the Virginia Supreme Court since 1989, will become the Court's first black chief justice when he assumes the position in February of next year. He will replace Chief Justice Harry L. Carrico, who has held the position since 1981.
Politics Prof. Larry J. Sabato said he was "delighted and proud that an outstanding University graduate, who is quite young, will be the next chief justice of the Virginia Supreme Court."
Hassell's selection is also a milestone in that he is the first chief justice to be chosen by his peers on the court. Previously, the chief justice was selected on the sole basis of seniority -- a process that was changed to a peer selection system by the 2002 Virginia General Assembly.
Under the old system, Justice Elizabeth Lacy, whose tenure on the court exceeds Hassell's by one year, would have become chief justice following Carrico's retirement.
Sabato said that, while seniority is important for a Chief Justice, the current situation is a good example of how seniority should not be the sole criteria for the selection.
"Seniority is important, as you would not necessarily want someone who had only recently come on the court to act as chief justice," Sabato said.
But "this is a perfect example: You have two justices who were appointed within a year of each other," he said. "Why should the slightly senior justice automatically become chief justice?"
He also noted that members of the Virginia Supreme Court had requested the new law.
Del. William Howell, R-Fairfax, approves of Hassell's selection and the new law.
Howell said he was "delighted by the selection of the new chief justice," and that, by allowing the position of chief justice to be decided on criteria other than seniority, the new law "will allow for new ideas."
Del. William Janis, R-Short Pump, echoed Howell's sentiments.
"I'm thrilled that Justice Hassell was elected," Janis said. "He is a fantastic man and a very skilled jurist. His particular selection is above reproach."
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