Gladwin named new Appeals Court chief

Court of Appeals Judge Robert Gladwin of Prairie Grove has been selected to lead that court for a fouryear term, beginning in January.

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Jim Hannah appointed Gladwin to the position of chief judge last week and announced the assignment in a statement on Tuesday.

Gladwin said in an interview that he was told the news Friday and was “a little bit” surprised.

“I’m very honored that the chief justice has the confidence in me to appointme to chief judge,” Gladwin said.

Gladwin replaces Chief Judge Larry Vaught, whose term expires Dec. 31. Hannah appointedVaught to the position in 2008. Vaught will remain a Court of Appeals judge.

Gladwin said the chief judge position is largely administrative, but said he would be called to appear on behalf of the court if summoned by the Legislature.

Gladwin received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas in 1978 and a juris doctor degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1981, according to his court biography.

He then served as a deputy prosecuting attorney in Washington County between 1981 and 1984. Later in 1984, Gladwin went into private practice, practicing law in Fayetteville and Prairie Grove until 2002.

He has also served as a circuit court magistrate and has sat as a district and city judge, according to information provided by the court.

Gladwin was elected to the Court of Appeals in 2002 and was re-elected in 2010 to an eight-year term.

He previously taught a lawyering-skills class at the UA Law School and currently teaches the same course at the W.H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He said he still intends to teach the class in the spring.

Paula Casey, interim dean of the UALR Law School, said she was glad to hear Gladwin would continue to teach while holding the position of chief judge.

Casey said Gladwin teaches one of 18 workshops where students are presented with problems and utilize their skills in mock arguments. With his experience as a prosecutor, trial lawyer and appellate judge, she said Gladwin brings an extensive skill set to the classroom.

“He can really take the long view and give great advice about strategy,” Casey said.

The dean said Gladwin, who has been teaching at the school for about five years, is known for never missing a workshop and for always preparing “very thoroughly.”

“He’s been very dependable, the students like him,” Casey said. “He’s a tough teacher, but he’s been very, very good.”