The Tennessee Supreme Court has selected former Circuit Court Judge William Acree to serve as senior judge and preside over cases across the state.
Judge Acree, who is from the 27th Judicial District in far northwest Tennessee, replaces Senior Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood, who retired.
“We are privileged to have someone of Judge Acree’s caliber and experience to assist the people of Tennessee and the judiciary,” said Chief Justice Sharon G. Lee.
Senior judges are employed by the Supreme Court to hear cases in which other judges cannot serve because of a conflict, or in courts where there is a vacancy. Tennessee state law authorizes the Supreme Court to appoint senior judges to “promote the effective administration of justice.”
Judge Acree retired from his Circuit Court position just over a year ago. He was appointed in 1994 and re-elected to eight-year terms in 1998 and 2006. He served a term as president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference and is active in community groups as well. He holds undergraduate and juris doctor degrees from the University of Tennessee. Prior to serving on the bench, he was in private practice.
Judge Acree will serve a two-year term starting November 2. There are three other senior judges in Tennessee: Judge Don Ash, Judge Ben Cantrell, and Judge Paul Summers.
