In an open selection process, the Tennessee Supreme Court will accept applications through Nov. 30 from attorneys interested in becoming the state’s next attorney general, Chief Justice Riley Anderson said Friday.
“The court would encourage attorneys from across the state to apply,” Anderson said. “We designed the selection process to ensure that we have an outstanding and diverse pool of applicants allowing us to select the most qualified individual to become the state’s chief legal officer. Tennessee has been served throughout its history by some of the finest attorneys general in the nation and we are confident that the tradition of excellence will continue.”
Under the Tennessee Constitution, the attorney general is appointed by the state Supreme Court. The court will choose a successor to Attorney General Knox Walkup, who announced in August he would not seek appointment to a full eight-year term. Walkup was appointed by the court in 1997 to fill an unexpired term and agreed to continue in the position until his successor is sworn in.
Attorney General applications are available from the Administrative Office of the Courts, Suite 600, Nashville City Center, 511 Union Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0607 or by calling the office at (615) 741-2687. Candidates for the position must submit an original application, which includes extensive personal and professional history, and seven copies.
The court will conduct a public hearing at 9 a.m. Dec. 10 at the Supreme Court Building in Nashville to hear oral presentations from the applicants. The court also will consider written comments in support of or in opposition to any applicant. The comments may be submitted through Dec. 5 to the Administrative Office of the Courts. The Supreme Court will interview each applicant as part of the selection process.
“We are confident that this procedure will result in an outstanding pool of applicants, just as a similar open process did when we appointed Knox Walkup,” Anderson said.
The attorney general, who earns $110,304 annually, serves as the state’s attorney in civil litigation and prosecutes criminal cases in appellate courts. The attorney general also provides legal advice to the Tennessee General Assembly and state agencies.
“The court is grateful to Knox Walkup for his outstanding and dedicated service to the state,” the chief justice said. “Our goal through this selection process is to appoint an attorney general who will continue the same level of excellence.”