The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the 20th Judicial District Circuit Court in anticipation of the retirement of Judge Phillip R. Robinson on Oct. 17. The district serves Davidson County. The Third Circuit Court primarily handles domestic relations cases. Applicants must be licensed attorneys in Tennessee, at least 30 years old and state residents for five years, and reside in the judicial district. A public hearing for the position will be held Oct. 15 at 9 a.m. CDT at the Nashville School of Law, 4013 Armory Oaks Dr., Nashville 37204. The application and instructions are available here. Applications must be received by the Administrative Office of the Courts by noon Sept. 12. For more information, contact Assistant General Counsel John Jefferson at john.jefferson@tncourts.gov or 615-241-2687.

The Tennessee Bar Association is accepting applications from candidates interested in the position of director of access to justice and strategic initiatives. This full-time position is responsible for leading the association’s efforts to expand access to legal services and improve the justice system, while advancing strategic initiatives that support organizational priorities, including policy advocacy, public service collaborations and leadership-driven projects. Access the full job description here. To apply, send a cover letter explaining interest in the position and a resume by email to Human Resources and Administrative Coordinator Tanja Trezise. The position is currently held by Liz Slagle Todaro, who is transitioning from the TBA this fall after 13 years. She will remain active in Tennessee’s access to justice and larger non-profit communities, including serving on the boards of the Nashville Urban Debate League and Family Reconciliation Center.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission has received applications for two vacancies in the 30th Judicial District. The applicants for the criminal court judge vacancy are Jahari M. Dowdy, Lora D. Fowler, Raymond J. Lepone and Kenya N. Smith. The applicants for the circuit court vacancy are William Christopher Frulla, C. Scott Jones and Mitzi H. Pollard. A public hearing for these candidates will be held July 16 and 17 at 9 a.m. CDT in the Historic Courtroom (Room 325) at The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, 1 N. Front St., Memphis 38103. Contact John Jefferson, assistant general counsel at the Administrative Office of the Courts, at john.jefferson@tncourts.gov or 615-741-2687 with questions. The commission is expected to vote immediately following the interviews and forward nominations for each position to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration. To view the applications, visit the AOC's website.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is currently accepting applications to fill a vacancy in the 20th Judicial District for a criminal court judge following the retirement of Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn on May 31. Applicants must be licensed to practice law in Tennessee, be at least 30 years old, have been a state resident for at least five years and reside in the judicial district. Public hearings for the position will be held July 31 at 9 a.m. CDT at the Cordell Hull Building, Senate Hearing Room 1, 425 Rep. John Lewis Way N., Nashville 37243. Applications must be received by the commission by June 27 at noon CDT. For more information, contact Assistant General Counsel John Jefferson.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is accepting applications to fill vacancies in the 30th Judicial District for a circuit court judge and a criminal court judge, following the elevation of Judge Valerie L. Smith to the appellate bench and the retirement of Judge Paula L. Skahan on June 30. Applicants must be licensed to practice law in Tennessee, be at least 30 years old, have been a state resident for at least five years and reside in the judicial district. Public hearings for the positions will be held July 16 and 17 at 9 a.m. CDT in the Historic Courtroom, Room 325, at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, 1 N. Front St., Memphis 38103. Applications must be received by the Administrative Office of the Courts by June 13 at noon. For more information, contact Assistant General Counsel John Jefferson.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will meet in June to consider applicants for two judicial vacancies. On June 10, it will meet in Lewis County to consider six applicants for a circuit and chancery court judgeship in the 32nd Judicial District, which includes Hickman, Lewis and Perry counties. On June 17, it will meet in Knoxville to consider eight applicants for a criminal court seat in the 6th Judicial District, which covers Knox County. Both meetings are open to the public, and individuals may submit oral or written comments regarding any applicant. The commission is expected to vote immediately following the interviews and will forward three nominees for each vacancy to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is accepting applications for a circuit and chancery court judge in the 32nd Judicial District and to fill a vacancy in the 6th Judicial District Criminal Court. The 32nd Judicial District vacancy was created following the retirement of Judge Michael E. Spitzer. To be considered for the vacancy, interested individuals should apply by noon CDT on May 14. The commission will hold a public hearing to interview candidates on June 10. The vacancy in the 6th Judicial District Criminal Court follows the elevation of Judge Steven Sword to the Court of Criminal Appeals. Applications for this vacancy also must be submitted by May 14 at noon CDT. A public hearing for this position will be held June 17. Applications and additional information for both vacancies can be found on the Administrative Office of the Court's judicial resources page.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is now accepting applications for a circuit court judge in the 11th Judicial District, which covers Hamilton County. The vacancy was created as a result of the appointment of Judge Michael J. Dumitru to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Applicants must complete an application and submit it to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) by noon CST on Feb. 5. The application and instructions are available on the AOC's Judicial Resources page. The commission will hold a public hearing to interview candidates on March 11 at 9 a.m. EDT in the 11th Judicial District. Qualified applicants must be licensed attorneys who are at least 30 years old, have been residents of the state for five years and live in the 11th Judicial District. For more information contact Assistant General Counsel John Jefferson.

The Tennessee Trial Court Vacancy Commission is seeking applications to fill vacancies in two state courts. Applicants are sought for the 4th Judicial District Circuit Court, which serves Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties. Those interested should apply no later than noon CDT on Oct. 23. A public hearing of applicants will be held on Nov. 12 at 9 a.m. EDT at the Sevier County Courthouse. In addition, the Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments is accepting applications for a vacancy on the Court of Criminal Appeals. Applicants should be residents of the state's Eastern Grand Division. Those interested in this position should apply by noon CST on Nov. 13. A public hearing for this position will be Dec. 5 at 10:30 a.m. EST at the Tennessee Supreme Court Building in Knoxville. Both applications can be found on the Administrative Office of the Courts website.

The Hamilton County Commission will select an attorney to fill the Hamilton County General Sessions Court seat that Judge Alex McVeagh will vacate when he takes office as circuit court judge on Sept. 1. Applications are now being accepted from qualified attorneys interested in the appointment, Chattanoogan.com reports. To apply, a letter of interest and resume should be filed with the Hamilton County Commission, 401 Hamilton County Courthouse, 625 Georgia Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37402. The application period will close on Aug. 13 at 2 p.m. EDT. Interviews with commissioners will determine the top six candidates, who then will appear before the commission on Aug. 21 at 11 a.m. EDT. The appointee will serve until the August 2026 general election. The winner of that election will serve until 2030, which is when the McVeagh’s term would have expired.