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
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.