Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced two circuit court judgeships Friday. Brent Bradberry was named to the 24th Judicial District Circuit Court, and William E. Phillips, II was appointed to the 3rd Judicial District Circuit Court.

Brent Bradberry is Assistant District Public Defender for the 27th Judicial District. He earned his J.D. at Nashville School of Law and his bachelor’s degree at the University of Tennessee, Martin. Bradberry will fill the Honorable C. Creed McGinley’s vacancy, effective immediately. Judge McGinley has served as Circuit Court judge for the 24th Judicial District since January 1988. He announced his retirement in January. The 24th Judicial Circuit Court District includes Benton, Carroll, Decatur, Hardin, and Henry counties.

William Phillips is an attorney at Phillips and Hale in Rogersville. He earned his J.D. at the University of Memphis and his bachelor’s degree at the University of the South, Sewanee. Phillips will fill the Honorable Thomas J. Wright’s vacancy, effective immediately. Judge Wright has served the 3rd Judicial District as Circuit Court Judge since 2006 and previously served as the General Sessions Court and Juvenile Court Judge of Greene County from 1998-2006. He, too, announced his retirement earlier this year in May. The 3rd Judicial District covers Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, and Hawkins counties.

“These two qualified Tennesseans will bring valuable experience to their respective roles,” Governor Lee said in a statement. “I’m honored to announce their appointment and confident they will serve our state with the highest integrity.”

Ballotpedia notes that Tennessee Governors are responsible for appointing judges to the five-member Tennessee Supreme Court, the 12-member Tennessee Court of Appeals, and the 12-member Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals.

– – –

Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]