Judicial honors highlight women’s leadership in Mississippi courts

NEW ORLEANS, La. (VDN) — Mississippi Court of Appeals Presiding Judge Virginia Carlton of Jackson and Judge Deborah McDonald of Fayette were recently honored for their service during the Mississippi Association for Justice’s annual convention in New Orleans.

Presiding Judge Carlton received the Justice James W. Kitchens Distinguished Jurist of the Year Award on June 13. The award was renamed this year in honor of retired Justice Kitchens.

“Judge Carlton’s integrity, professionalism, and commitment both to justice and the rule of law is inspiring and necessary,” said Tripp Segars, MAJ immediate past president.

“I am humbled to have received this honor,” said Carlton. “It is an honor and privilege to work hard each day for fair and impartial justice.”

Judge McDonald received the MAJ Women’s Caucus Lifetime Service Award on June 12. She was recognized for her 37 years in legal practice and seven years on the Court of Appeals.

“I was totally surprised, and it was a great honor,” McDonald said. “I just want other women lawyers to appreciate the work all of us do.”

McDonald began her career with Legal Services in McComb and argued her first case before the Fifth Circuit in her first year out of law school. She later served as municipal judge in Fayette for 23 years and is admitted to practice before all Mississippi and U.S. courts, including the Supreme Court.

Carlton, a former legislator and longtime military officer, has served on the Court of Appeals for 18 years. A retired Army colonel and former JAG officer, she is a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law and the U.S. Army War College.

Both judges continue to serve in leadership roles across the bench, bar, and community.