Circuit Judge Stanley Sorey of Raleigh has been appointed to the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance, with Circuit Judge Richelle Lumpkin of Carriere as the alternate circuit judge member, effective May 31.

The appointments were made upon the recommendation of Gov. Tate Reeves and signed by Chief Justice Mike Randolph. Both judges will serve on the Commission until their terms conclude on Dec. 31, 2027.

The Commission on Judicial Performance is responsible for investigating allegations of judicial misconduct and recommending disciplinary actions to the Supreme Court. The body is composed of seven members and seven alternates.

Judge Sorey succeeds Judge Smith Murphey V of Batesville, who recently stepped down from the Commission. Murphey began his tenure as an alternate member in February 2020 and became a full member in April 2021. Judge Sorey has served as the alternate member since April 2021.

Judge Lumpkin has a history with the Commission, initially appointed as the County Court alternate member in March 2016. She began a six-year term as a full member in January 2021 but vacated her position upon her appointment as Circuit Judge of the 15th Circuit Court in February.

Judge Sorey has served on the 13th Circuit Court bench since January 2016 and is the senior judge for a district encompassing Covington, Jasper, Simpson, and Smith counties. His prior experience includes over 16 years in private practice as Smith County Prosecutor, municipal prosecutor for Mize and Taylorsville, and board attorney for the Smith County Board of Supervisors for a decade. Additionally, he was the president of the Smith County Bar Association for 14 years. Judge Sorey served six years in the Mississippi National Guard, including active duty during Operation Desert Storm. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi College and a law degree from the Mississippi College School of Law, having also attended Jones County Junior College, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, and the University of Southern Mississippi.

Judge Lumpkin was the inaugural County Court Judge for Pearl River County, appointed to alleviate congestion in the Circuit Court and Youth Court. She held this position from 2011 until her recent appointment to the Circuit Court. Her judicial career includes serving as Youth Court referee for eight years and as Municipal Judge for Picayune for four years. Additionally, she was the Pearl River County Prosecutor for eight years. Judge Lumpkin earned a Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Southern Mississippi and a law degree from Mississippi College School of Law.