NASHVILLE — Lt. Gov. Randy McNally today announced he has named Chattanooga attorney Harold L. “Hal” North Jr. and former state Sen. Don McLeary to serve on Tennessee’s Trial Court Vacancy Commission.
“Hal North is an attorney of great intellect and judgment,” said McNally, the Republican Senate speaker from Oak Ridge, in a news release. “I am confident he will do an outstanding job choosing excellent nominees who will work hard for the people of Tennessee.”
McNally said he was “proud to serve with Don McLeary in the state Senate and I am proud to appoint him to this commission. His vast life experience and sound judgment will aid his fellow commissioners in choosing quality jurists who will interpret and enforce the laws as written.”
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission was created in 2016 as part of a compromise. When a vacancy occurs in the office of chancellor, circuit court judge, criminal court judge or judge of any other state trial court of record, the 11-member commission reviews applications and sends three nominations to the governor for consideration.
The Senate and House speakers each have five appointments. The chairman is appointed by both speakers.