Tate Reeves Appointed Tollison to Supreme Court
Governor Tate Reeves selected Oxford resident Amanda James Tollison to fill a vacancy on the Mississippi Supreme Court.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in People
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Governor Tate Reeves appointed Amanda James Tollison to serve on the Mississippi Supreme Court. Tollison will fill the District 3, Place 2 seat recently vacated by Justice James Maxwell.
Why it matters
The appointment follows Justice James Maxwell's transition to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi. Tollison brings experience as a former Mississippi Bar President and legal counsel to Governor Haley Barbour.
Governor Reeves has now made two Supreme Court appointments within a single month. Tollison, a Butler Snow LLP partner since 2012, is a graduate of the Mississippi School of Law.
The players
Tate Reeves
He is the current Governor of Mississippi who holds the authority to fill judicial vacancies.
Amanda James Tollison
She is an Oxford-based attorney and former President of the Mississippi Bar.
James Maxwell
He is a former Mississippi Supreme Court justice who recently transitioned to the federal judiciary.
Haley Barbour
He is a former Governor of Mississippi whom Tollison served as legal counsel.
Celeste Embrey Wilson
She is an appointee to the Mississippi Supreme Court who was selected by the governor earlier in the year.
The details
Tollison was appointed to fill the seat left by Justice James Maxwell following his confirmation to the federal bench. She previously held roles as legal counsel to Governor Haley Barbour and served as President of the Mississippi Bar.
Timeline
Tollison became a partner at Butler Snow LLP in 2012.
Governor Reeves appointed Celeste Embrey Wilson to the court in July 2026.
The appointment of Tollison was announced by Governor Reeves on September 28, 2026.
Tollison begins her term on the Mississippi Supreme Court on September 1, 2026.
Market Landscape
This appointment reflects the state's ongoing process for maintaining continuity on the high court during federal judicial transitions. The selection process highlights the shifting composition of the bench as the governor fills multiple vacancies within a short timeframe.
The appointment ensures that the District 3, Place 2 seat on the Supreme Court remains occupied until a special election can be held. Residents will eventually determine the long-term holder of the position through the upcoming special election cycle.
The takeaway
The addition of Tollison marks the second high court appointment made by Governor Reeves in recent weeks. Her background as a former Mississippi Bar President provides the court with an experienced legal practitioner until the seat is decided by voters.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest leadership developments in Mississippi People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Delta Democrat-Times.
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