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John Ginn, newly appointed Hopkins County Court at Law Judge, takes his official oath of office, administered by Texas 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt, during a ceremony held Tuesday, Jan. 2 at the Hopkins County Courthouse. Staff photo by Tammy Vinson
Government | Politics | Court
In a courtroom filled with family, colleagues and fellow judges, Sulphur Springs attorney John Ginn was sworn in as judge for the Hopkins County Court at Law Tuesday, Jan. 2.
Ginn has served as Chairman of the District 1A Grievance Committee and is a past member of the Professionalism Committee of the State Bar of Texas. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and formerly served as a director of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. Ginn was named one of the top 100 trial attorneys in Texas by the National Trial Lawyers from 2012 to 2022.
Ginn has been named a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly magazine for the past 18 consecutive years, starting in 2005, and has also received an AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubble.
Ginn is a graduate of Baylor University School of Law and served as President of the Baylor Law Alumni Association from 2012 to 2013. He has practiced law in Sulphur Springs since 1989.
Ginn took the oath of office, administered by 8th District Court Judge Eddie Northcutt, using a Bible his mother purchased with her earnings from her job cleaning hotel rooms as a teenager during the depression. Ginn explained that earlier that morning, he had found a Bible verse his mother had written in the front of that Bible: “Blessed that you seek justice and follow the path of righteousness” (Psalms 106:3).
Following the swearing-in, Ginn was assisted by his two sons, Charlie and Andy Ginn, and his grandson Caleb, in putting on his judicial robe for the first time.
Ginn thanked several people, including his family: wife, Edie; children, sons Charlie and Andy and daughter Molly; his “true mentor,” retired judge Webb Biard; and District 8 Judge Eddie Northcutt.
“I look out there and I see peo-ple in my life that have influenced me, and cared for me, and protected me, and supported me, and encouraged me and corrected me. And I thank God for each one of you. I thank God that he's brought me to this place and we give him praise. I want you to know that. And I really am praying and I hope you'll pray for me,” Ginn said after being officially sworn in.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom presented now-former County Court at Law Judge Clay Harrison with a plaque recognizing Harrison’s 10 years of service. Harrison will be returning to private law practice.