Pictured above (l. to r.): Cory Cox and Justice Barbara Webb.
UPDATE – AUG 19, 2026
ORIGINAL – AUG 10, 2026
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has appointed Cory Cox to serve as a Special Justice of the Supreme Court of Arkansas while Associate Justice Barbara W. Webb is temporarily unable to perform her judicial duties as she recovers from a head injury. Cox’s appointment is intended to keep the seven-member court at full capacity during Webb’s recovery. Read more below.
Sanders announced Cox’s appointment after Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Karen Baker certified that Webb is temporarily unable to serve as a justice. Cox’s appointment will conclude Dec. 31, 2026, or sooner if Webb returns to the court, whichever comes first.
“Cory is a highly accomplished attorney, has decades of government experience, and is a dedicated public servant,” Sanders said. “As we pray for Justice Webb’s recovery, I know Cory has the character and work ethic to serve on the Court and uphold our Constitution. I’m deeply grateful for his service in this role.”
Webb, who lives in Benton, sustained a head injury in May following a fall at her home while doing laundry late in the evening, according to her husband, Doyle Webb. She has been receiving treatment at a medical facility in Houston, Texas.
Doyle Webb previously said his wife was expected to return to Little Rock for an additional surgery at UAMS, followed by an unspecified recovery period. Although Justice Webb anticipates returning to her duties for the Supreme Court’s fall term, her family requested a temporary replacement in case her recovery takes longer than expected.
Chief Justice Baker formally certified Webb’s temporary inability to serve in a letter to Sanders on Aug. 10. Rather than having individual special justices appointed on a case-by-case basis, Baker requested one temporary special justice who could perform Webb’s duties throughout her absence.
Cox has previously served as a special justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court in a variety of cases. He currently is the founder of Cory Cox Consulting.
Cox began his career as assistant legal counsel and deputy legal counsel in the Office of Gov. Mike Huckabee, where he focused on criminal justice issues. His subsequent state government service included positions with the Arkansas Insurance Department, the Office of the Commissioner of State Lands, the Arkansas Department of Human Services and the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office, where he served as legislative director and chief of staff.
He also has served on the Arkansas Sentencing Commission, Arkansas Criminal Code Revision Commission and Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Board. Cox was an elected school board member of the Perryville School District.
Cox earned a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Arkansas Tech University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law. He lives in Perryville with his family.
“I’m deeply honored that Governor Sanders has trusted me to serve in this capacity,” Cox said. “I pray that Justice Webb makes a full and speedy recovery. Until that time, I look forward to working with the Court’s other justices to uphold Arkansas law and protect and defend the rights of Arkansas citizens.”
Under Amendment 80, Section 13(A) of the Arkansas Constitution, when a Supreme Court justice is temporarily unable to serve, the chief justice certifies the situation to the governor, who has 30 days to commission a special justice.
The temporary appointment is designed to ensure the Arkansas Supreme Court can continue operating with seven justices during Webb’s absence. Cox’s appointment will remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2026, unless Webb returns to the court before then.
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