Delaware’s Judicial Nominating Commission has initiated the process to appoint a successor for retiring state Supreme Court Justice Jack B. Jacobs. The JNC began the search earlier than expected because Jacobs moved up his retirement date so Gov. Jack Markell can appoint a replacement without having to call a special session of the legislature, the governor’s chief legal counsel, Andrew Lippstone, has confirmed.
Although Jacobs had initially announced he would step down July 4, he has agreed to retire June 25. The June retirement will allow the General Assembly to hold a confirmation hearing before the end of its current legislative session June 30. If the governor submits his nominee to the General Assembly after June 30, he would be required to convene a special session for a confirmation hearing.
