Ronald Lee Sheffield

Last updated

Ronald Lee Sheffield
Born(1946-06-30)June 30, 1946
Coshocton, Ohio, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock (J.D.)
Occupation(s)Attorney, Judge
Known forJustice of the Arkansas Supreme Court
TitleAssociate Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court
SpouseMildred Sheffield
Children2
Military career
Branch U.S. Air Force
Unit 825th Strategic Aerospace Division

Ronald Lee Sheffield (born June 30, 1946) is an American attorney and former associate justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. Appointed in January 2010 by Governor Mike Beebe, Sheffield served a one-year term following the retirement of Justice Annabelle Clinton Imber. He was the sixth African American to serve on the state's highest court. [1] [2]

Contents

Early life

While attending high school in Coshocton, Ohio, Sheffield was the only African American on both the football and baseball teams. He started in the football team's backfield during away games but was not permitted to play at home games. [1] [3]

Career

He worked for Arkansas Insurance Department for 27 years, including seven years as Deputy Insurance Commissioner. [3]

Sheffield enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, trained as a photographic technician, and documented the aftermath of a 1965 Titan II missile silo fire, aiding in the investigation. [1]

In 1999, he became Redistricting Director for the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office. In 2004, he was the Democratic Party nominee for lieutenant governor. [3]

Judicial appointment

In January 2010, Governor Mike Beebe appointed Sheffield to the Arkansas Supreme Court to fill the unexpired term of Justice Annabelle Clinton Imber. Sheffield's appointment was effective immediately and was to end when a justice was elected in a May special election to fill the unexpired term. [4] [5]

Personal life

Sheffield has worked as an adjunct professor at Pulaski Technical College. He is married to his wife, Mildred, and they have two children. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Ronald Lee Sheffield (1946–)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas . Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  2. Sheffield, Ronald (2017). "Interview with Ronald Sheffield" (PDF). Arkansas Supreme Court Historical Society. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "Ron Sheffield (2014) - Hall of Fame". Little Rock Athletics. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  4. "Sheffield appointed as Arkansas Supreme Court Justice". Talk Business & Politics. January 14, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  5. Thompson, Abigail (September 2, 2020). "UA Little Rock to honor Sheffield, Blass as 2020 Distinguished Alumni". William H. Bowen School of Law. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
Political offices
Preceded by Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court
2010–2010
Succeeded by