The hunt for a new judge is on in Tennessee as the Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments has launched the application process to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Tennessee Court of Appeals’ Western Section. This follows on the heels of Judge Kenny Armstrong’s planned retirement set for February 9, 2026.
Candidates who wish to apply need to check if they fit the bill: a licensed attorney, 30 years or older, a five-year residency in the state, and must be domiciled in Tennessee's Western Grand Division, according to the details provided by TNCourts.gov. To get your name in the ring, applications complete with writing samples need to make their way to the Administrative Office of the Courts by noon CST on November 5, 2025, but mind the clock because no late submissions will be entertained.
The application process includes two key submissions; one being the original signed application, not bound, plus writing samples and the second a digital copy of the same documents, the form for which was updated on November 28, 2022, all of this can be found on the comprehensive application instructions posted on the court's website; details are readily found at the provided link, hence, budding candidates are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and submit early to avoid any last-minute hiccups.
The council, which will play a pivotal role in scrutinizing the candidates, is scheduled to convene on December 10, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. CST in the friendly confines of the Jackson City Council’s chambers located at 109 E. Main St., Suite 107, Jackson, TN; the meeting is where discussion regarding the applicants will take place, so mark your calendars accordingly if you plan to follow the proceedings closely.
For those scratching their heads about any aspect of the application process, there's a lifeline in the form of AOC Assistant General Counsel Laura Blount, feel free to give her a ring at (615) 741-2687 or shoot an email over to [email protected]; she's the go-to for any questions that might be looming as you consider stepping into Judge Armstrong's soon-to-be-vacated shoes.
