Norfolk native Judge Hassell dies

Local, Norfolk, Virginia 1 Minute

Norfolk native and former Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court Leroy R. Hassell Sr. has died. According to Virginia Lawyers Weekly:

Justice Hassell had been in ailing health for about a year and a half. He was seriously ill with an infection in August 2009, missing several weeks of work. He returned to the court, but he missed the last round of arguments over which he would have presided in January. Instead, Justice Lawrence L. Koontz, who retired Jan. 31, performed those duties.

The first notice of the passing of Judge Hassell was posted to Twitter by the newest member of the House of Delegates, attorney Greg Habeeb.  In a short article, The Virginian-Pilot says that a notice was issued this morning from the court announcing his passing.

Judge Hassell has been a frequent visitor to Norfolk, often presiding over the swearing in ceremonies of elected officials. I spoke with former Norfolk council member Daun Hester this morning, who was “shocked and saddened” to learn of his death.

The House Courts of Justice Committee is coincidentally holding hearings today to select a replacement for Justice Koontz. According to The Richmond Times, a replacement for Judge Hassell will also be made.

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2 thoughts on “Norfolk native Judge Hassell dies”

  1. Chief Justice Hassell was a graduate of Norview. He went there during the same years that I was at Maury, and we would see each other around town, now and then.

    His story is very inspiring, especially to the public school students in Norfolk, both past and present.

    I contacted the members of Norfolk’s School Board this morning and recommended that a Norfolk school that does not already bear the name of an exemplar, be re-named in honor of, Leroy R. Hassell, Sr.

  2. Justice Hassell was a truly great man, who accomplished great things in his short time as Chief Justice, and will be greatly missed.

    Maybe the Virginia State Bar can finally rename the the Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Award for Chief Justice Hassell, who truly embodied the principles of professionalism, courage, diligence, wisdom, fairness, and the rule of law.

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