Klappenbach named chief judge for Arkansas Court of Appeals

Judge N. Mark Klappenbach was named Tuesday (Jan. 7) as chief judge of the Arkansas Court of Appeals. The announcement was made by Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Karen Baker.

The chief judge is appointed by the Supreme Court of Arkansas Chief Justice and serves a four-year term.

Klappenbach began his term as chief judge on January 1, 2025.

He graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He then graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law in 1984.

Klappenbach was first elected to the Arkansas Court of Appeals in 2016 and was reelected in 2020. Prior to serving on the Arkansas Court of Appeals, Klappenbach worked over 31 years in the legal and accounting fields, including work as a public defender, deputy prosecuting attorney, and in private practice.

He is a lifelong resident of Fordyce, Ark.

“I am honored and grateful that Chief Justice Baker chose me to be the chief judge. I appreciate her dedication to the rule of law, her leadership, and her faith in me. I will do my utmost to fulfill the obligations of this position with dignity, humility, and a keen understanding of the trust placed in me,” said Klappenbach.

He replaces Chief Judge Brandon Harrison.