The Tennessee Supreme Court heard held court proceedings inside the Old Supreme Court Chamber at the Tennessee State Capitol for the first time in more than ten years February 12, 2025.
“This is an historic occasion, a homecoming of sorts for our court,” said Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Holly Kirby. “The Tennessee Supreme Court held its court proceedings in this very room for about three quarters of a century, until 1936 when the Supreme Court moved to the fancy new building down the street.”
The historic event brought together all three branches of state government -- Executive, Judicial and Legislative- under the Capitol dome.
“About 175 years ago or so, the Supreme Court was actually held here,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “It will be held here today. The legislature is in session. The governor’s office is alive and well down there, I can say. We will be signing a bill into law today. There is work being done by all branches of government in this building. It’s historic, it’s important and it’s government at work on behalf of the people.”
The last time the court held a session inside the State Capitol was February 6, 2014, before any of the current justices served on the Supreme Court.
“Governor Lee, you should see three especially familiar faces on the bench today who demonstrate our three branches of government at work -- Justices Campbell, Tarwater and Wagner, who were appointed by you and confirmed by our legislature,” said Chief Justice Kirby. “We are thrilled to have them on the court. Thank you for their appointments, and we thank the legislature for their wisdom in confirming them.”
There are five justices on the Tennessee Supreme Court: Chief Justice Holly Kirby, Justice Jeffrey Bivins, Justice Sarah Campbell, Justice Dwight Tarwater and Justice Mary L. Wagner.
“We have the highest caliber of justices to execute justice on behalf of the people in our state, so it’s a real proud moment and an historic moment for me to be here today,” said Governor Lee.
Prior to the hearings, legislators gathered for a reception with the Court.
“I was pleased to have the Tennessee Supreme Court Justices visit the Old Supreme Court Chamber in the State Capitol building this week,” said Senator Becky Massey (R), District 6 (Knoxville). “I appreciated the opportunity to meet with the justices and commend them for providing an opportunity for the public to partake in listening to live oral arguments at the Capitol.”
“I was honored to have the opportunity to mingle with our Supreme Court justices during such an historic occasion,” said Representative Mary Littleton (R), District 78 (Dickson). “Moments like these remind us of our government’s foundation and the privilege it is to serve this state.”
The Old Supreme Court Chamber was the home of the court from the late 1850s until the Supreme Court Building opened across from the Capitol, on Seventh Avenue, in 1937. The new home for the judiciary marked the first time a branch of state government moved out of the Capitol building in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Supreme Court normally meets in Jackson, Knoxville, and Nashville, as required by the state constitution. The court may also meet in alternate locations as necessary.
The Tennessee State Capitol – a National Historic Landmark – opened in 1859 and is one of the nation’s oldest working statehouses still in use. It is designed by William Strickland and is considered one of the country’s best examples of a Greek-revival style building.
To watch oral arguments during the historic session inside the Tennessee State Capitol, click here:
Brian Coblentz Et Al. v. Tractor Supply Company
State of Tennessee v. Shenessa Sokolosky
