LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Legal professional Jack Wagoner, who helped efficiently problem Arkansas’ ban on same-sex marriage earlier than state and federal courts, has died. He was 62.
Wagoner died in Little Rock on Tuesday, mentioned Bruce Tennant, an legal professional who labored with him at his regulation agency. Tennant mentioned a reason behind dying was not but recognized.
Wagoner represented same-sex {couples} who challenged a constitutional modification that Arkansas voters put within the state’s structure in 2004 defining marriage as between a person and a girl. A state choose in 2014 struck down the modification as unconstitutional, which led to greater than 500 same-sex {couples} marrying earlier than the Arkansas Supreme Courtroom put the ruling on maintain.
The state Supreme Courtroom did not rule on whether or not the ban was constitutional earlier than the U.S. Supreme Courtroom legalized gay marriage nationwide in 2015. A federal choose additionally struck down Arkansas’ ban, however put her ruling on maintain.
On the time of the rulings, Wagoner predicted that homosexual marriage would finally be authorized nationwide.
“It’s fairly clear the place historical past’s heading on this subject,” Wagoner mentioned.
Cheryl Maples, an legal professional who had additionally represented the {couples}, died in 2019.
Tennant mentioned the same-sex marriage case was an instance of the kinds he targeted on. Wagoner had additionally engaged on circumstances involving nursing dwelling neglect and abuse.
“He all the time wished to battle for the little man,” Tennant mentioned.
Wagoner was additionally one of many attorneys who represented a divorced Arkansas man who had been prohibited from having in a single day visitation along with his little one within the presence of his long-term home accomplice. The state Supreme Courtroom in 2013 reversed that call.
Wagoner is survived by his spouse and two daughters.
