Supreme Court of Tennessee
Nashville · A court of last resort in Tennessee.
The Supreme Court of Tennessee is the highest court in Tennessee. Its justices are chosen by gubernatorial appointment. This page lists every justice to serve on the court, current and former, with when they joined the bench and whom they succeeded.
Roster as of the CourtListener bulk-data snapshot (2026-03-31): recent departures and appointments may not be reflected, so it is shown as “on record,” not “currently serving.”
Justices on record
Former justices
| Justice | Years |
|---|---|
| William C. Koch Jr. | 2007–2014 |
| Cornelia A. Clark | 2005 |
| William M. Barker | 1998–2008 |
| Janice Marie Holder | 1996–2014 |
| Penny J. White | 1994–1996 |
| Adolpho A. Birch Jr. | 1993–2006 |
| E Riley Anderson | 1990–2006 |
| Martha Craig Daughtrey | 1990–1993 |
| Lyle Reid | 1990–1998 |
| Charles H. O'Brien | 1987–1994 |
| George W. Wuest | 1984–1994 |
| George H. Brown Jr. | 1980–1980 |
| Frank F. Drowota III | 1980–2005 |
| Ray L. Brock Jr. | 1974–1987 |
| Robert E. Cooper | 1974–1990 |
| Joe W. Henry | 1974–1980 |
| William Fones | 1973–1990 |
| George F. McCanless | 1969–1992 |
| Allison B. Humphreys | 1967–1974 |
| William J. Harbison | 1966–1990 |
| Chester C. Chattin | 1965–1969 |
| Larry B. Creson | 1965–1972 |
| Andrew O. Holmes | 1963–1965 |
| Ross W. Dyer | 1961–1974 |
| Weldon B. White | 1961–1967 |
| Sam L. Felts | 1960–1964 |
| John E. Swepston | 1954–1961 |
| Hamilton S. Burnett | 1947–1973 |
| Pride Tomlinson | 1947–1961 |
| Frank H. Gailor | 1943–1954 |
| A B. Neil | 1942–1960 |
| Alan M. Prewitt | 1941–1963 |
| David William Dehaven | 1935–1943 |
| Alexander Wilds Chambliss | 1923–1947 |
| Grafton Green | 1910–1947 |
How a justice reaches this court. Justices of the Supreme Court of Tennessee are appointed by the governor to 8-year terms. Under a 2014 amendment the governor appoints justices subject to confirmation by both houses of the General Assembly, after which they face yes-or-no retention elections. Selection methods vary by jurisdiction and have changed over time; this page reflects the court’s current method (source: National Center for State Courts). Open any justice to see their tenure and whom they succeeded.
Source: CourtListener / Free Law Project (bulk data); selection method from the National Center for State Courts. Data as of 2026-03-31 (CourtListener bulk snapshot). Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).