NASHVILLE - Governor Phil Bredesen has appointed Richard H. Dinkins of Nashville to fill the vacancy on the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Middle Section. The vacancy was created by the death of Judge William Bryan Cain in September.
“Richard Dinkins has developed extensive experience in his career with the Davidson County Chancery Court and in the private sector, and I am confident that he will serve the Tennessee Court of Appeals with honor and integrity,” said Bredesen. “I am pleased to appoint Chancellor Dinkins to this seat, and I appreciate his willingness to serve in this position.”
Prior to his appointment to the Court of Appeals, Dinkins served as Chancellor of the Davidson County Chancery Court, Part IV, since 2003. After graduating from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1977, he served as an associate at the law firm of the Honorable Avon M. Williams Jr., with whom he joined in 1981 to form the firm of Williams and Dinkins. He later served as a member of Dodson, Parker, Dinkins and Behm, P.C. from 1999 to 2003. In his practice, Dinkins was counsel to the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency and Fisk University.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be appointed by Governor Bredesen to serve the state as a member of the Tennessee Court of Appeals,” Dinkins said. “I have devoted my career to securing equal justice under the law for all segments of society. It is an honor to follow in the footsteps of my predecessor, Judge Cain, and I look forward to continuing my career in public service in this new role.”
Dinkins received the Freedom Fighter Medal from the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, and was also awarded the William M. Leech Jr. Public Service Award from the Tennessee Bar Association in 2004. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Nashville Bar Association, and is also on the Board of Trustees at First Baptist Capitol Hill Church. Dinkins lives in Nashville and has four children.