The Tennessee Supreme Court recently unanimously elected Justice Holly Kirby to serve as the Court’s next Chief Justice.
Kirby is succeeding Justice Roger Page, who was appointed as Chief Justice in 2021.
Former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam appointed Kirby to the Supreme Court in 2014. Before her appointment to the Supreme Court, Kirby served for almost 19 years on the Tennessee Court of Appeals.
Kirby was the first woman in Tennessee history to serve on the Tennessee Court of Appeals and now becomes only the fourth woman in state history to serve as the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice, according to the Administrative Office of the Courts.
“I am honored to have been chosen chief justice by my colleagues on the Court,” Kirby said in a statement. “I have the highest respect for Justice Page, my predecessor as Chief Justice, Justice Bivins, also a former Chief Justice, Justice Campbell, and now Justice Tarwater. Tennessee has the finest judiciary in the country; our judges are dedicated public servants who serve with integrity. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with all of them to strengthen public confidence in our courts, access to justice for vulnerable citizens, and the rule of law in Tennessee.”
As Chief Justice, Kirby is responsible for administrative functions of the court, such as setting dockets, making designations, and ensuring the efficient and orderly administration of justice throughout the state courts.
Kirby was elected to a two-year term, which began on Friday, September 1. Kirby’s ceremonial investiture will be performed on October 4th at the Tennessee State Capitol by Governor Bill Lee and a reception will be scheduled in Memphis for this fall.
Tennessee U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn congratulated Kirby on her new role as Chief Justice, writing on X / Twitter, “Congratulations to Justice Holly Kirby who will now serve as Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Her reputation on respecting the rule of law will serve the court system well.”
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Background Photo “Tennessee Supreme Court Building” by Antony-22.
