William C. Mims

William C. Mims
Justice of theSupreme Court of Virginia
In office April 1, 2010 – March 31, 2022
Preceded by	Barbara Milano Keenan
Succeeded by	Thomas P. Mann
45thAttorney General of Virginia
In office February 26, 2009 – January 16, 2010
Governor	Tim Kaine
Preceded by	Bob McDonnell
Succeeded by	Ken Cuccinelli
Member of theVirginia Senate from the33rddistrict
In office January 23, 1998 – January 14, 2006
Preceded by	Charles Waddell
Succeeded by	Mark Herring
Member of theVirginia House of Delegates from the32nddistrict
In office January 8, 1992 – January 22, 1998
Preceded by	Linda Rollins
Succeeded by	Dick Black
Personal details
Born	William Cleveland Mims (1957-06-20)June 20, 1957 Harrisonburg, Virginia,U.S.
Political party	Republican
Education	College of William and Mary(BA) George Washington University(JD) Georgetown University(LLM)

William Cleveland Mims(born June 20, 1957) is an American jurist and former senior justice on theSupreme Court of Virginia.He is a former member of theVirginia General AssemblyandAttorney General of Virginia.He is the second person in Virginia history to serve in these three offices.He presently is a lecturer and director of the pre-law program atChristopher Newport University.

Early life and education

Mims was born and grew up inHarrisonburg, Virginia,and graduated fromHarrisonburg High School.He is anEagle Scout. Mims graduated from theCollege of William & Mary,where he was student body president. He is a member of thePhi Eta Sigma,Phi Alpha Theta,andOmicron Delta Kappahonorary societies. He has law degrees fromGeorge Washington University(J.D.) andGeorgetown University(LL.M.).

Early career and private practice

Mims served as deputy legislative director to U.S. SenatorPaul S. Trible Jr.from 1983 to 1985, and as chief of staff to CongressmanFrank R. Wolffrom 1985 to 1987. He practiced law inLeesburg, Virginiafrom 1987 to 2005. He has taught as an adjunct professor, at George Mason University School of Law (nowAntonin Scalia Law School) andAppalachian School of Law.He briefly was a partner in theHunton & Williamslaw firm in 2010, prior to joining the Supreme Court.

General Assembly

Mims was elected as a Republican to theVirginia House of Delegatesin 1991 and theSenate of Virginiain 1998, serving a total of 14 years. While in the General Assembly, he also served as chair of the Virginia Housing Commission and the Virginia Code Commission and vice-chair of the Joint Commission on Health Care. His legislative accomplishments included creating the Virginia Higher Education Tuition Trust Fund (now calledVirginia 529).He also sponsored numerous successful bills relating to the rights of crime victims, improving traffic safety, and reforming mental health policies.

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney GeneralRobert F. McDonnellappointed Mims as chief deputy attorney general in January 2006. He was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Attorney General, with more than 300 attorneys and staff. In that role, he also coordinated Virginia’s legal response to theVirginia Tech shooting,including the mediated settlement of all but two liability claims,and the re-regulation of Virginia’s electric utilities. When McDonnell resigned as attorney general to run for governor, the General Assembly unanimously elected Mims to complete McDonnell’s term.Mims did not seek election to a full term and was succeeded byKenneth Cuccinelliin January 2010.

Supreme Court of Virginia

The General Assembly unanimously elected Mims to theVirginia Supreme Courton March 10, 2010. He took the oath of office on April 1, 2010. The 100th justice in the history of Virginia, Mims filled a vacancy created by the retirement of JusticeBarbara Milano Keenanupon her appointment to theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.Mims did not seek reappointment to the court when his term ended on March 31, 2022.

Civic involvement and personal life

Mims has served in numerous capacities relating to improving mental health and foster care policies. These include service on the boards of Voices for Virginia’s Children, the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, the Virginia Health Care Foundation, and the Commission on Mental Health Law Reform. He has served on the Board of Governors of theVirginia Bar Association.He is an elder at his church. He frequently authors “Faith & Values” guest columns for theRichmond Times-Dispatch,and speaks often throughout Virginia on the topics of justice and servant leadership.

Mims has received honorary degrees fromBridgewater CollegeandLongwood University,the William B. Spong Award fromWilliam & Mary School of Law,and theOutstanding Eagle Scout Awardfrom theNational Association of Eagle Scouts.He has delivered the Madison Vision Series lecture atJames Madison Universityand the Convocation address at theCollege of William & Mary.

Mims is married to Jane Mims. They have three adult daughters, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren. An avid marathoner and occasional ultra-marathoner, he ran in the2013 Boston Marathonand crossed the finish line shortly before the two bombs exploded.

External links

• "William C Mims".Virginia Public Access Project.
• "Election Results".Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived fromthe originalon 2010-06-17.