Governor Tate Reeves has appointed a new judge to fill the vacancy left by the late LaRita Cooper-Stokes
Pieter Teeuwissen has been dubbed as county court judge for the second subdistrict of Hinds County. Teeuwissen has served as a board attorney for the county for over six years. He has also represented Jackson as its city attorney for over nine years and as special circuit judge for the seventh judicial district in Hinds County.
He began his career as a staff attorney for the Mississippi Department of Human Services before spending time in private practice.
“Pieter has big shoes to fill, but I know he will do a great job,” Reeves said. “He has an impressive resume and a lengthy track record of admirably serving Hinds County residents. I wish him all the best in this new role and look forward to seeing his positive impact.”
Teeuwissen is a life member of the Magnolia Bar Association and was awarded the R. Jess Brown Award, the highest honor from the Magnolia Bar Association. Additionally, he is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association and was appointed a Bar Fellow in 2018.
He earned a J.D. from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. from Tougaloo College. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.
The newly appointed judge’s term will begin on December 4. Reeves will call a special election to be held on November 5, 2024. Whoever wins the special election will serve the remainder of the four-year term.
