Investiture ceremony held for U.S. Judge P.K. Holmes III

After about 8 months on the bench, U.S. District Judge P.K. Holmes III, was formally “invited” to serve as a federal judge during an investiture ceremony held Friday (Oct. 28)  at the Fort Smith Convention Center.

About 450 attended the event, including many lawyers in the Fort Smith area. Also in attendance were U.S. Sens. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., and John Boozman, R-Ark.; U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers; and more than 17 federal judges and magistrates. David Pryor, former Arkansas Governor and member of Congress, also attended.

Fort Smith attorney Mark Moll, chairman of the investiture committee, garnered a good laugh from the audience in explaining the older “feudal” definition of investiture denotes the installation “of a new monarch.”

Holmes, a Fort Smith attorney who was born and raised in Newport, Ark., was first recommended for a federal judgeship in December 2009. He was confirmed Feb. 7 by the U.S. Senate to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas. Holmes assumes the position held by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Dawson, who has taken senior status.

Sen. Pryor, who pushed Holmes nomination through the White House and the Senate, said Holmes received an “almost rare” unanimous vote on the Senate floor.

Prior to his nomination, Holmes served as a partner at Warner, Smith & Harris in Fort Smith, and was the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas from 1993-2001.

Holmes is a 1973 graduate of Westminster College in Fulton, Mo.,, and received his juris doctorate from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1978.

Sen. Pryor said when the judgeship opened, Holmes received overwhelming support from the legal community. Pryor said Holmes is an example that “law is the only game where the best players get to sit on the bench.”

U.S. District Court Judge Billy Roy Wilson administered the oath of office to Holmes, with Holmes’ wife, Kay, standing with him. Holmes’ “robing” was conducted by sons Christopher and Stephen.

Holmes told the audience it is “an honor and privilege” to be a federal judge and he acknowledged the journey required “a lot of luck” and “help from a lot of friends.”

“These opportunities don’t come along very often,” Holmes said, adding later that he is especially pleased to serve on “one of the most historic seats on the federal bench.”

Holmes said the portraits of legendary Judge Isaac Parker and former U.S. District Court Judge John E. (Elvis) Miller are in his forward vision as he sits on the bench. Holmes also thanked Fort Smith attorney Doug Smith for being a “mentor and advisor” during his legal career.

According to the Federal Judicial Center website, Arkansas is authorized 8 federal judgeships, with three in the Western District and five in the Eastern District.