After nearly five decades of practicing law, Chancery Court Judge Jerry G. Mason will retire in December.

But before that, he will receive the Judicial Excellence Award from the Mississippi Bar Association for his lifetime of accomplishments on July 14. 

Mason’s career in law began in Meridian after his 1969 graduation from The University of Mississippi Law School. In 1982, then Gov. William Winter appointed Mason, a Meridian high school graduate, to fill a vacancy in the chancery court, where he earned a reputation for his thoughtful opinions and careful study of the law.

After 36 years, Mason will leave the 12th Chancery Court bench and retire his robes. 

“I don’t think people in Meridian realize how highly regarded he is throughout the state,” Larry Primeaux, a chancery court Judge for 12 years, said. “I was here (in Meridian) when he first got the job. Everyone was very pleased with his appointment and expected big things from him.”

Chancery courts deal with interpersonal matters, such as domestic relations, adoptions, divorces, child custody, alimony and estate matters. Mason said Winter appointed him after the retirement of another judge.

Mason applied to be considered for the seat because of his previous experience as a municipal court judge, he said, who exposed him to the judicial decision-making process. 

“I enjoyed the responsibility of conducting a trial, studying the law and making a fair decision,” Mason, 76, said. “I knew I could study the law and be impartial.”

Robert Bresnahan, a Meridian attorney, said that attorneys knew Mason would give thought-out and detailed explanations of each of his rulings, no matter the length it took to explain the process.

“The thing about (Mason) is that he’s so thorough when he renders an opinion,” Bresnahan said. “It’s not unheard of for him to opine for 60 to 100 pages.”

Mason acknowledges this reputation, telling attorneys who ask, “I would write shorter opinions, but the facts keep getting in the way.”

“I don’t expect everyone to agree, but at least they should understand why the case was ruled that way,” Mason said.

‘A model of efficiency’

Mason graduated from the University of Mississippi in May of 1964 after serving two years in the military during the Vietnam War as a platoon leader. Following that two-year commitment, he returned to law school to pursue his degree, serving in the Army National Guard simultaneously. 

Primeaux said he didn’t know any chancellor, or chancery court judge, with more judicial experience than Mason. He said Mason had the respect of attorneys and judges across the state and the appellate court rarely reversed his decisions. 

“His court really is a model of efficiency,” Primeaux said. 

Primeaux said lawyers throughout the state would comment on how well-run the chancery court in Lauderdale County and Clarke County is, something Primeaux credited Mason for establishing.

“I would think that whoever gets elected to his position, we will work together as Judge Mason and I have worked together,” Primeaux said. “There may be a few tweaks but you can’t improve much on what Judge Mason has done.”

Mason described the chancery court as a decision-making process when two people, usually people who know each other well, can’t come to a decision. 

“In chancery court, you’re helping people make decisions they did not make themselves,” Mason said. “In their relationship, they had the chance to make the decision but for whatever reason they didn’t. The chancery court is tasked to make that decision for them.”

Since there are multiple issues at play, usually that means diving into several aspects of the law and addressing each individually. 

“If I try a case, I’m going to cite the law on each issue,” Mason said. “I think all chancery judges do that.”

Many times, Mason said judges and attorneys practice “preventative law,” such as a writing a will, which prevents a future legal issue.

“There’s satisfaction in helping someone avoid or remedy a problem like that,” Mason said. 

Mason said that following his retirement at the end of the year, he would especially miss the daily interactions with his colleagues, such as the court administrator, reporter, clerks and Primeaux.

“The lawyers in the 12th Chancery Court bar are all competent attorneys. They work well without each other to settle many cases and so I will miss seeing those lawyers on a daily basis,” Mason said. 

Judicial Excellence Award

On July 14, the Mississippi Bar Association will present Mason with the Judicial Excellence Award during their annual convention. Rick Barry, a local attorney, will present the award as the president of the association. 

Barry explained the process for the award, saying someone nominated Mason, who was reviewed by a committee before being approved, in Mason’s case unanimously, before the Bar’s Board of Commissioners.

According to Barry, the description for the Judicial Excellence Award describes someone who is “an excellent judge” as well as a “person of high ideals.”

Previous judges honored with the award went on to become state supreme court justices and U.S. Magistrate Judges.

“It’s a high honor,” Barry said. “Judge Mason meets all of the qualifications in every category.”

Barry, with an office right across from the courthouse on Constitution Avenue, said he frequently saw Mason leaving late at night or working on weekends, briefcase in hand. 

“I find Judge Mason to be a hard-working and well-respected judge,” Barry said. “I know clients from time to time, back when I practiced in domestic relations which I don’t do as much now, they would ask me, ‘How are we going to do in court?’

“And I’d say, ‘I can’t tell you if we’ll win or lose, but you’re going to get a fair judgment from Judge Mason. He’s going to be honest and fair about it.’ “

Future plans

While dedicated to his work, Mason also coached his two sons’ recreational soccer team, winning a state championship on Mother’s Day in 1993. 

“I’ve been very fortunate to serve as chancery judge and I appreciate the opportunity to serve,” Mason said. “I am grateful that the citizens of Lauderdale County and Clarke County have allowed me the opportunity to serve.”

Mason said he doesn’t have any specific plans for retirement yet, beyond traveling “a bit more.” With one son in Meridian, and another son with two grandchildren in Oxford, he plans to visit family.

“I will find something to occupy the hours of the day,” he said. 

With Mason’s retirement, two people have announced their candidacy for his empty seat: Charles E. “Charlie” Smith and Frances Smith Stephenson. 

Primeaux is running unopposed in the November election.