Edward D. Robertson, Jr.

Edward D. "Chip" Robertson, Jr.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri
In office
July 1, 1991 – June 30, 1993
Preceded by Charles Blakey Blackmar
Succeeded by Ann K. Covington
Judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri
In office
June 28, 1985 – July 15, 1998
Appointed by John Ashcroft
Preceded by George F. Gunn, Jr.
Succeeded by Michael A. Wolff
Personal details
Born May 1, 1952 (1952-05-01) (age 59)
Durham, North Carolina
Spouse(s) Renee Ann Beal
Alma mater Westminster College
Southern Methodist University
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law
John F. Kennedy School of Government
University of Virginia School of Law
Religion Methodist

Edward D. "Chip" Robertson, Jr. is a former chief justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri. Robertson was 33 years old when then-Governor John Ashcroft picked him to serve on the court, and he served from 1985 to 1998.[1] His appointment - Ashcroft's first to the high court - led to claims that the non-partisan Missouri Plan for appointing judges was actually a highly partisan process;[2] twenty years later, Robertson would join opposition to Republican efforts to dismantle the system. In 1998 he left the Supreme Court to join a Kansas City firm that was led Missouri's lawsuit against tobacco companies.[3] Robertson was rumored to be mulling a challenge to then-Governor Matt Blunt, also a Republican, but he never did.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Missouri swears in new justice." Chicago Tribune. July 15, 1985.
  2. ^ Tim Poor, "Drive is galvanizing critics of Missouri's court plan." St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Oct. 9, 1992.
  3. ^ Terry Ganey, "Governor picks SLU professor to fill vacancy on high court." St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Aug. 11, 1998.
  4. ^ "Chip Robertson won't challenge Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt in primary." Kansas City Star. Aug. 11, 2007.