News
March 26, 2026
The Tennessee Court of Appeals has 12 members who sit in panels of three every month across the state. On March 24 in Nashville, as court was called to order, a significant moment in the history of the COA took place.“When I came on the court in 2019, I was the only female,” said Judge McGee. “…
February 13, 2026
Governor Bill Lee appointed Judge William E. Phillips II to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Eastern Section.Judge Phillips currently serves as a Circuit Court Judge for the Third Judicial District of Tennessee. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Sewanee: The University of the South and juris…
January 7, 2026
Nashville, Tenn. - The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments met in Knoxville today to select nominees for the upcoming vacancy on the Court of Appeals Eastern Section, following the retirement of Judge D. Michael Swiney on January 12, 2026. After holding a public hearing and conducting…
January 6, 2026
Judge Lewis “Lew” H. Conner served with distinction on the Tennessee Court of Appeals, from 1980-1984, and as a special Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court. He passed away on January 4 at the age of 87.“The judiciary, the legal profession, and the citizens of the great State of Tennessee…
December 10, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments met in Jackson today to select nominees for the upcoming vacancy on the Court of Appeals Western Section, following the retirement of Judge Kenny Armstrong on February 9, 2026. After holding a public hearing and conducting public…
December 10, 2025
Court of Appeals Judge D. Michael Swiney had been practicing law in Knoxville for about eight years when he and his colleagues decided to leave their practice and open their own litigation firm.“It was Don Paine, any of the older lawyers around will know him, Dwight Tarwater, now Justice Tarwater,…
December 3, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments will consider five applicants when it meets to select nominees for an upcoming vacancy on the Court of Appeals Eastern Section, after the retirement of Judge D. Michael Swiney on January 12, 2026.The applicants include:Jeffery…
November 10, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Tennessee Court of Appeals, following the retirement of Judge D. Michael Swiney on January 12, 2026.Qualified applicants must be licensed attorneys who are at least 30 years of…
November 5, 2025
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments will consider seven applicants when it meets to select nominees for an upcoming vacancy on the Court of Appeals Western Section, after the retirement of Judge Kenny Armstrong on February 9, 2026.The applicants include:Lori R. HolyfieldEileen…
October 15, 2025
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Tennessee Court of Appeals following the retirement of Judge Kenny Armstrong on February 9, 2026.Qualified applicants must be licensed attorneys who are at least 30 years of age, have been…
April 15, 2025
April 15, 2025, marked the centennial of Governor Austin Peay’s signing of the act creating the Court of Appeals. This milestone offers the opportunity to look back at the origins of the Court and to recognize some of the notable jurists who have served on it.The Court of Appeals came…
March 24, 2025
Judge Valerie L. Smith was confirmed to the Court of Appeals, Western Division, by the General Assembly today. She was appointed to the intermediate court by Governor Bill Lee on Feb. 28, 2025, at the recommendation of the Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments. Judge Smith fills the vacancy…
March 3, 2025
Governor Bill Lee announced two judicial appointments on Feb. 28, 2025.Judge Steven W. Sword was appointed to the Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Division, and Judge Valerie L. Smith was appointed to the Court of Appeals, Western Division.Judge Sword currently serves as a Criminal Court Judge…
November 22, 2024
Nashville, Tenn. – Because the Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments received only three applications to fill the vacancy in the Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Section, the Council will not hold a meeting and will instead forward the three applications directly to the Governor. …
November 18, 2024
Nashville, Tenn. - The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments met in Jackson, Tennessee to select nominees for the Court of Appeals Western Section.After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the Council selected the following nominees to forward to Governor Bill Lee for…
October 25, 2024
Nashville, Tenn. - The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments will consider six applicants when it meets November 18, 2024, in Jackson, to select nominees for the Court of Appeals Western Section.The applicants are:Tony A. Childress Steven W. MaroneyJames R. Newsom III …
October 7, 2024
Nashville, Tenn- The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments is now accepting applications to initiate the process of filling a vacancy on the Western Section of the Court of Appeals that will occur January 4, 2025 following the retirement of Judge Arnold B. Goldin. …
December 1, 2023
The Tennessee judiciary is reflecting on the legacy of the late Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who passed away on December 1, 2023, at the age of 93. Justice O’Connor made history in 1981 when she was the first female appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States. Justice O’Connor was also a…
October 2, 2023
The State of Tennessee is mourning the loss of retired Court of Appeals Judge Richard H. Dinkins, who passed away on October 1 at the age of 71. Judge Dinkins served on the Court of Appeals from 2008 until his retirement in 2022. Previously, he was a chancellor in Davidson County from 2003 to 2008…
November 14, 2022
The Tennessee Court of Appeals will visit the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin this week to hold oral arguments in front of a live audience of students and guests.“Bringing the courtroom to the students is a wonderful way to involve them in the judicial process,” said Judge Steven…