WBRZ - Baton Rouge

NEW ORLEANS - The chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court has set a deadline for her colleagues to weigh-in on who should succeed her in the post.

Chief Justice Catherine "Kitty" Kimball plans to retire in January 2013.

On Wednesday, Kimball ordered any justice interested "in a legal determination" to submit arguments no later than July 31, with responses - if any - to be filed by Aug. 15.

The chief justice position is awarded to the longest-serving justice on the state's high court. Justice Bernette Johnson of New Orleans was elected in 1994 to fill a seat vacated by retiring justice Revius Ortique. However, Johnson's seat was technically a judgeship on the 4th Circuit Court of Appeal.

Justice Jeffrey Victory of Shreveport is next after Johnson in seniority.