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…