Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Gov. Bill Haslam has named Shelby County chancellor Arnold B. Goldin to fill an upcoming vacancy in the western section of the Tennessee Court of Appeals.

The Commercial Appeal reports that Goldin will succeed Judge Alan E. Highers, who is retiring at the end of August 2014.

Haslam's appointments to fill vacancies are being made unusually early because lawmakers allowed the Judicial Nominating Commission to expire.

The panel tasked with proposing three nominees for the governor to choose from nevertheless made its suggestions before disbanding on June 30.

Haslam in recent days named also named Robert "Rob" H. Montgomery Jr. to the eastern section of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and W. Neal McBrayer to the middle section of the Tennessee Court of Appeals.