Judge Mary L. Wagner was officially confirmed Monday, March 11, 2024, by the General Assembly as the newest justice on the Tennessee Supreme Court. Justice-designate Wagner was appointed by Governor Bill Lee in February. She will take the bench September 1 following the retirement of Justice Roger A. Page.
"I've known Judge Mary Wagner for many years; she's smart and conscientious, and she has the highest integrity and an excellent judicial temperament,” said Chief Justice Holly Kirby. “We look forward to working with her on the Supreme Court."
Justice-designate Wagner is currently a circuit court judge for the 30th Judicial District, which covers Shelby County. She previously served as an associate at Rice, Amundsen & Caperton, PLLC and taught as an adjunct professor at The University of Memphis School of Law.
“As judges, we are advocates not for a client, but for the law and our legal system,” said Judge Wagner. “It is my absolute honor to serve my home State of Tennessee as a Justice on the Tennessee Supreme Court. It will be the privilege of a lifetime to give back to the legal system I deeply respect and that plays such an important role in our State. I am grateful for Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly’s confidence in me and allowing me the opportunity to serve in this way.”
Justice-designate Wagner earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Colorado at Boulder and J.D. at the University of Memphis School of Law.