From staff reports

M. James Chaney Jr., a career attorney in Vicksburg, was tapped today to serve the remainder of Circuit Judge Frank Vollor, whose resignation was effective Sunday.

A spokesman for Gov. Haley Barbour said Chaney, 56, will be administered the oath as one of two 9th Circuit District judges and will be on the bench until at least the end of 2010.

Barbour, who appointed Chaney from a list of applicants and nominees approved by a screening committee of  the Mississippi Bar Association, had the option of calling a special election.

Chaney is best known for his lengthy service as attorney for the Vicksburg Warren School District from its inception in 1987.

He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and the University of Mississippi School of Law and has practiced with the firm of Teller, Chaney, Hassell and Hopson. He is the son of former state Rep. and Chancery Clerk Mark Chaney and Kathryn Chaney. He has two children, Mark and Sarah.

Chaney becomes the junior judge to now-senior Judge Isadore Patrick in the district that includes Warren, Sharkey and Issaquena counties.

Vollor, a 20-year judge, will sit on appointment as a senior judge when called on by the state Supreme Court and will engage in private practice in Vicksburg and Starkville.