Stafford and McMullen To Fill Respective Vacancies On Court of Appeals And Court Of Criminal Appeals, Western Section
NASHVILLE - Governor Phil Bredesen today announced that Chancellor Steve Stafford of Dyersburg, Tenn., has been appointed to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Western Section, and Camille R. McMullen of Millington, Tenn., has been appointed to the Court of Criminal Appeals, Western Section.
Stafford will fill the vacancy created by the death of Judge W. Frank Crawford in April. McMullen's appointment will fill the vacancy created by Judge David G. Hayes' retirement from the appellate bench at the end of June to become a Senior Judge.
"I am confident that Chancellor Stafford and Ms. McMullen will serve with honor and distinction as they fill these two important posts. I appreciate the experience and skill each brings to their respective appointments, and I am very pleased they have agreed to serve the State of Tennessee*s appellate courts," said Bredesen. "I also want to honor the late Judge Crawford. He left behind a legacy of honesty and integrity after serving on the Court of Appeals for 26 years, and he will be deeply missed by all those who worked with him throughout his distinguished career."
Stafford, a Weakley County native, has been Chancellor of the 29th Judicial District since 1993. A graduate of Samford University Cumberland School of Law, he was selected as the 2007 Judge of the Year by the American Board of Trial Advocates, Tennessee Chapter. A member of the Dyer County Bar Association since 1983, he received the Tennessee Judicial Conference Outstanding Service Award and the West Tennessee Legal Services Award for Support and Contribution to the Pro Bono Project in 2000.
"I have continually worked to improve the judicial system and to make myself a better judge," said Stafford. "It is my hope to be able to apply that knowledge and experience as an appellate judge. I appreciate Governor Bredesen*s confidence in me and look forward to serving in this position."
McMullen has been an assistant United States attorney for the Western District of Tennessee since 2001. A native of Nashville, McMullen graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1996 and served as an assistant district attorney for Shelby County from 1998 to 2001. A member of the Memphis Bar Association since 2003, McMullen was awarded for her outstanding efforts in Project Safe Neighborhoods in 2002 and received the U.S. Department of Justice Special Achievement Award in 2005.
"It is an honor and a privilege to be appointed by Governor Bredesen to serve the state as a judge on the Court of Criminal Appeals," McMullen said. "I have worked very hard inside and outside of the courtroom to educate our citizens on the law, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve in this new capacity."