Virginia's 1st female chief justice sworn in

By Larry O'Dell

RICHMOND

Cynthia Kinser was sworn in as the Virginia Supreme Court's first female chief justice Wednesday during a ceremony that blended regional pride, a bit of levity and solemn tributes to her predecessor, who died last week.

Justice Donald W. Lemons administered the oath to Kinser in a courtroom packed with active and retired state judges, current and former elected officials, lawyers and members of Kinser's family from far southwest Virginia's Lee County.

Kinser was elected by her colleagues to the post in August, and she took over on Feb. 1.

"When I first became a lawyer many years ago, I never imagined I'd be a member of this court, let alone its chief justice," said Kinser, 59.

Her brief remarks did not focus on becoming the first woman to lead the court — perhaps because knocking down gender barriers is nothing new for Kinser. She also was Lee County's first female commonwealth's attorney and region's first female U.S. magistrate judge before then-Gov. George Allen appointed her to the Supreme Court in 1997.

Other speakers, however, noted the historic event.

"It is a reflection of Virginia's diversity," said Senior Justice Elizabeth Lacy, who was the first woman named to the court. She said Kinser's elevation to chief "shows justice favors no gender, no age or vocation."

Lemons said Kinser's swearing-in was as historic as Justice Leroy Hassell Sr.'s installation eight years ago as the state's first black chief justice.

"It's also a source of pride that she's from the great southwest of our state," Lemons said.

Lemons noted that Kinser's home in tiny Pennington Gap is closer to six other state capitals than it is to Richmond, an 8½-hour drive away. He said the closer capitals are in Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana and Georgia.

In his remarks, Gov. Bob McDonnell said he thought Lemons overlooked an eighth state: Ohio.

"My source is the new chief justice of Virginia, and I wasn't going to quarrel with her," Lemons said, drawing hearty laughter.

The event took on a more somber tone as speakers remembered Hassell, who still had three years left on the court when he died a week ago at age 55.

"We are saddened by the death of our colleague," Kinser said, adding that Hassell's accomplishments "enhanced justice for all Virginians."

Lemons, who opened the ceremony with a moment of silence in remembrance of Hassell, praised the former chief justice's efforts to ensure that lawyers provide free services to the poor.

"His legacy will be long remembered," McDonnell said. "But the person taking his place, Justice Kinser, is going to do a remarkable job."

Turning to face Kinser, McDonnell said: "You, like your predecessor, have this incredible passion for justice."

Lacy described Kinser as a patient listener with respect for the views of others and "a respecter of stability but an embracer of change when called for."

Kinser is the court's 25th chief justice.