A Cleveland, Tennessee, lawyer has been appointed by Gov. Bill Lee to fill a 10th Judicial District Circuit Court vacancy left by longtime Judge Larry Puckett's retirement.
Michael E. Jenne, of the Jenne Law Firm, will assume the post Puckett held for more than two decades, according to a news release from the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts. Lee also announced the appointment of Shelby County attorney Gadson "Will" Perry to fill a chancery court vacancy in the 30th Judicial District.
"I am proud to announce the appointment of these highly qualified individuals and value the experience they will bring to their respective roles," Lee said in the release. "I'm confident they will serve Tennessee with integrity and look forward to their service."
The commission began accepting applications to fill the vacancy in the 10th Judicial District on March 25, with Athens, Tennessee-lawyer David Mitchell Bryant and Cleveland's Jenne being the applicants tossing their hats into the ring for consideration for the post through the Trial Court Vacancy Commission.
Puckett, 69, served in the post starting with his appointment on Dec. 22, 1997, and his retirement will end almost a quarter-century on the bench in the 10th Judicial District's Bradley, McMinn, Monroe and Polk counties. His retirement is effective about a year before his term was set to expire in 2022.
In April, Puckett said he retired before the end of his term to allow his appointed replacement to gain experience on the bench before deciding whether to run for the seat in August 2022.
Jenne's term begins July 1.
- Compiled by Ben Benton