A Jefferson County circuit judge has thrown out County Judge Gerald Robinson’s appeal over whether the county must pay outside counsel hired by several Quorum Court members, closing a long-running fees fight without deciding the underlying invoices on the merits.
According to coverage of an order filed about May 26, retired Circuit Judge Wm. Randal “Randy” Wright granted Branch & Thompson’s motion to strike the notice of appeal and dismiss after a May 18 hearing. The firm argued Robinson lacked standing because he had recused from the county-court case and was not an aggrieved party under Arkansas District Court Rule 9.
The dispute traces to 2023 litigation over Quorum Court procedure and later invoices for justices who retained Branch & Thompson. Special County Judge Efrem B. Neely Sr. had ordered payment from appropriated legal funds; Robinson appealed and obtained a temporary stay before Wright’s dismissal.
Source: Deltaplex News — Judge Dismisses Gerald Robinson Appeal (May 27, 2026).
