NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Supreme Court has elected Justice Jeff Bivins as its new chief justice.
Elevated to the state’s highest court just two years ago, Bivins, a Republican, officially takes over from current Chief Justice Sharon Lee, a Democrat, for the term that begins Sept. 1.
“I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the citizens of Tennessee in this expanded role,” Bivins said in a news release. “Serving alongside two former chief justices on a Court with more than 80 years of judicial experience among the justices, I know we are well positioned to lead the efforts of the judiciary.”
He praised Lee, who previously headed the five-justice court, saying she “accomplished a great deal over her term as chief justice, from efforts to modernize the court system, to addressing the needs of business litigants, and taking steps to improve our indigent defense system.”
He called it “a privilege to guide the court on the heels of her excellent leadership.”