The new attorney for the Vicksburg Warren School District has a familiar face. He’s filled the position on an interim basis since June 1.

State Sen. Briggs Hopson III, with his firm Teller, Hassell and Hopson, was the board’s unanimous choice to fill the position created when former board attorney M. James Chaney was appointed circuit court judge by Gov. Haley Barbour in May. Chaney was formerly a partner in the Teller firm.

“I think the vote speaks for itself,” said board president Jerry Boland. “Their firm has represented us for a long time.”

Hopson was one of six local attorneys who sent letters of interest after the board opened up the position for new applicants July 31.

The other applicants included former Circuit Judge Frank Vollor, whose resignation from the bench began the process that saw Chaney leave the school board for the court.

Also applying were attorneys Mark Prewitt, Ken Rector, Clifford Whitney III and Mike Bonner, said Superintendent Dr. James Price.

The board discussed the applicants for about 45 minutes in closed session before coming back into open meeting to vote. Boland called for a roll call vote by district, and each board member voted aloud in turn.

“We — the firm — are pleased to be able to continue to represent the school district,” Hopson said. “I’m delighted they had the trust in me, and I look forward to representing them for many years to come.” Hopson is in his first term as a Republican member of the state Senate.

Boland said the discussion and consideration of each applicant was thorough, but mentioned the value of the experience Hopson’s firm had representing the school board.

Chaney, with the firm as backup when necessary, had served as the school board’s attorney since 1987, when the former Vicksburg Municipal Separate School District and Warren County Public Schools consolidated into the one district.

Since Chaney’s appointment to the bench, Hopson had stepped in as the school board’s legal counsel.

Hopson, 43, was elected to the Mississippi state Senate in 2007, representing Vicksburg and the 23rd district, which also includes the rest of Warren County as well as Issaquena and southwestern Yazoo counties. He attended the University of Mississippi, and is married to the former Alison Quaid. They have three children, Liam, Walt and Jane.

*

Contact Pamela Hitchins at phitchins@vicksburgpost.com