Exploring the Tennessee State Supreme Court

The makeup of Tennessee Supreme Court is set to change this year.

Justice Sharon Lee will retire from the state's highest court after 14 years on the bench. In 2008, Gov. Phil Bredesen appointed Lee to the court, and her departure means that all of the five justices will have been appointed by a Republican governor.

In this episode, we take a look at the process for selecting a new justice. We also talk with legal experts about the history of the court, its influence and what makes Tennessee's judiciary unique.

Guests:

• Erik Schelzig, editor of The Tennessee Journal

• William Koch, dean of Nashville Law School and retired Tennessee State Supreme Court justice

• Andy Bennett, Court of Appeals judge

• David Raybin, attorney and partner at Raybin & Weissman, P.C.

Resources and additional reading: 

• The Tennessee Journal: 5 apply for Tennessee Supreme Court vacancy

• The Tennessean: Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee to retire

• WPLN: The Tennessee Supreme Court rules against mandatory life sentences for minors

• Justia: Tennessee Supreme Court decisions by year

• Tennessee Judiciary Museum