Jackson, Miss. – Andrew S. Harris has been named as the successor to U.S. Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball in the Northern Division at Jackson by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi judges. The transition is set to take place on March 1, according to a press release from the court.
Harris, a resident of Mississippi for 37 years, has a strong background in law and a deep connection to the state. He earned his B.A. from Millsaps College in 2007 and graduated with top honors from the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he received his J.D.
During his time in law school, Harris was the recipient of prestigious awards such as the William Prentice “Pete” Mitchell Award in Ethics and the Mississippi Law Journal Award, given to the third-year student who made the most significant contributions to the publication.
Before joining the federal bench, Harris served as a term law clerk for Judge Daniel P. Jordan III. He then went on to work at Jones Walker LLP in Jackson, first as an associate and later as a partner. Throughout his career, Harris handled intricate commercial matters, including cases involving intellectual property, trademark, copyright, and patent infringement, for a diverse range of clients such as closely held businesses, publicly traded companies, and entrepreneurs.
Harris’s exceptional legal work was acknowledged by the Mississippi Bar when he was awarded the annual Young Lawyer of Mississippi Award in 2020. Additionally, he has been honored by various professional organizations and publications.
Apart from his professional achievements, Harris has made significant contributions to his community and the state and federal bar associations. He has held positions on committees and boards, serving as the President of the Jackson Young Lawyers Association and the President of the Board of Directors for Willowood Developmental Center.
Chief Judge Jordan expressed his gratitude to the members of the Merit Selection Panel for their diligent work in the Magistrate Judge selection process. He also commended Harris as an outstanding choice and a valuable addition to the court family, stating, “We are proud to have him onboard.”
Although a formal investiture ceremony is planned for a later date, the announcement marks an important milestone in Harris’s legal career as he prepares to assume his new role in the Northern Division at Jackson.