Sheffield appointed as Arkansas Supreme Court Justice

Little Rock attorney Ron Sheffield has been named by Gov. Mike Beebe has named to serve as an associate justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Sheffield’s appointment is effective immediately, and will end when a justice is elected in a May special election to fill the unexpired term of Justice Annabelle Clinton Imber. Imber retired in September citing health reasons.

Beebe originally appointed Bill Bowen, 86, to the post effective Jan. 1 to complete the Imber term. Bowen resigned the post Jan. 12 for health reasons.

“Ron Sheffield has the knowledge and experience with the Supreme Court to hit the ground running," Beebe said in a statement. "The unique circumstances of this appointment mean shouldering a significant caseload immediately, and Ron is well-qualified to accomplish this with the skill and honor befitting our Supreme Court."

Sheffield, 64, recently completed a Beebe appointment as a Special Associate Justice to the Supreme Court for an individual case. He worked 27 years with the Arkansas Insurance Department, including seven years as Deputy Insurance Commissioner. In 1999, Sheffield became redistricting director for the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office. While remaining in private practice in recent years, Sheffield also has taught as an adjunct professor at Pulaski Technical College.