Vice Chancellor John W. Noble will retire from the Delaware Court of Chancery effective Feb. 26, 2016.
The retirement gives Markell yet another opportunity to nominate a candidate for a top judicial post.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of the State of Delaware for 15 years, but, for me, it is now time to move on to whatever life will bring next,” wrote Vice Chancellor Noble in his letter to the Governor dated Nov. 18.
Vice Chancellor Noble has not announced his specific plans following his retirement from the bench.
Options are many for former chancellors who decide key corporate cases in what is considered to be the nation’s leading business court. The court also handles matters related to trusts and estates.
Chancellor Andre G. Bouchard issued the following statement:
“During his fifteen-year tenure on the Court of Chancery, John has displayed consummate skill and a natural sense of equity and fairness as a judge. Known for his wry wit and calm demeanor, John has been a pleasure for litigants to appear in front of, and a fabulous colleague to work with. The judges and staff of the Court of Chancery will miss him dearly, but extend our sincerest thanks and congratulations to him for all he has done for the Court and our State.”
Delaware Supreme Court Chief Justice Leo E. Strine, Jr., who served with Vice Chancellor Noble on the Court of Chancery, joined Chancellor Bouchard in thanking Vice Chancellor Noble for his years of service:
“It was my privilege to serve longer on the Court of Chancery with John than anyone. John never had a case he did not take seriously, and he applied his considerable intellect and instinctive sense of equity to every case, whether it was the largest corporate merger, a neighborhood dispute, or a guardianship case. All of us in the Judiciary will miss him enormously, and wish him and Nadine all the best as they embark on the next stages of their lives together.”
“During his fifteen years on the Court of Chancery, John Noble exhibited all the traits that make the Court the nation’s most respected forum for corporate litigation. Vice Chancellor Noble’s expertise, integrity, humility and impartiality furthered the Court’s reputation for excellence, predictability and fairness. I greatly appreciate his service to the State of Delaware,” Gov. Jack Markell stated.
Noble was first appointed to the Court of Chancery in 2000 by Gov. Tom Carper and re- appointed by Gov. Jack Markell in 2012.
Vice Chancellor Noble holds a B.S. in Ch.E., magna cum laude, from Bucknell University and a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Following law school, he served as a federal district court law clerk and then practiced with Parkowski, Noble & Guerke, P.A., in Dover..
