Attorneys interested in filling a Memphis judicial vacancy, created by the Aug. 3 death of Chancellor Floyd Peete, Jr., must apply by the end of the business day Sept. 4 to be considered, Cornelia Clark, administrative director of the courts said Thursday.
"Those of us who had the privilege of working with him were greatly saddened by the loss of Chancellor Peete, who had held the Chancery Court Part 2 seat since his election in 1990," Clark said.
"He was a fine jurist and an important member of the judicial community. Now we must go about the business of filling the unexpired eight-year term to which he was reelected in 1998."
Applications are available from the Administrative Office of the Courts, 511 Union Street, Suite 600, Nashville 37219 or by calling Lisa Hazlett at 615-741-2687. Applications also can be downloaded and printed from the court system website. The original and 18 copies must be submitted to the commission through the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Under state law, the 17-member Judicial Selection Commission will meet within 60 days of the vacancy to conduct a public hearing and interview applicants for the appointment. The commission will submit three names to Gov. Don Sundquist, who may appoint one of the recommended applicants. The position will then be on the ballot in 2004, the next biennial August election, to fill out the remainder of the full eight-year term ending in 2006.
Clark said her office is working with the commission to set a meeting date which will be as soon as possible. The commission meeting and public hearing will be in Memphis, she said.