The Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court has been asked to assign a special judge to hear the case of Jefferson County Circuit Clerk Lafayette Woods Sr., who is suing County Judge Gerald Robinson and contending that Robinson’s reduction in force policy prevents him from doing his job properly.

In the lawsuit, which was filed June 7th, Woods argued that while Robinson initially sent an ordinance calling for one position in the Circuit Clerk’s Office to be eliminated, the ordinance that was approved by the Quorum Court eliminated three positions. The case was originally assigned to Fifth Division Circuit Judge Jodi Raines Dennis.

One of the attorneys representing Woods is Luther Sutter of Benton, who moved to the area to run against Dennis for Circuit Judge in 2014 and was soundly defeated. Sutter has also formerly represented the Pine Bluff School District and former Alderman Jack Foster when Foster was ousted from the Pine Bluff City Council after being convicted in federal court of attempted extortion under color of law.

Robinson said Monday he was aware of the lawsuit, which has been turned over to the county attorney. He said he would have no other comment.