Bivins chosen as chief of state Supreme Court

The judges on the state's top court have unanimously chosen Justice Jeffrey Bivins as chief justice for a term beginning Sept. 1.

Bivins, who has been on the Tennessee Supreme Court since 2014, saluted the work of outgoing Chief Justice Sharon Lee.

“Chief Justice Sharon Lee has 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 said in a news release. “It’s a privilege to guide the court on the heels of her excellent leadership.”

Gov. Bill Haslam has twice appointed Bivins to appeals courts: the Court of Criminal Appeals in 2011 and the Tennessee Supreme Court in 2014. In an election earlier this month, Tennesseans voted to retain Bivins in his spot on the bench. His term as chief justice is for four years, according to Michele Wojciechowski, spokeswoman for the state Administrative Office of the Courts.

“I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the citizens of Tennessee in this expanded role,” Bivins said in a statement. “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.”

Bivins, 55, was a circuit court judge for six years in Tennessee's 21st district, which includes Williamson, Hickman, Lewis and Perry counties. Before that he worked at Nashville law firm Boult, Cummings, Conners & Berry PLC.

Click here to read Bivins' full biography. 

Click here to learn more about the five members of Tennessee's Supreme Court. 

The state constitution says that the court's members should choose their own chief justice, who takes on extra administrative duties. Wojciechowski said the length of that tenure varies, and Lee served as chief for two years. Bivins will be sworn in Sept. 1, with a formal oath of office ceremony with Haslam at a later date, according to court officials. 

Bivins and his wife, Gail, have two daughters. They live in Franklin. 

Reach Stacey Barchenger at 615-726-8968 or on Twitter @sbarchenger.