The Tennessee Supreme Court has named James M. Hivner, of Bartlett, as the Clerk of the Appellate Courts.
Hivner, 47, who is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Shelby County Chancery Court, replaces Mike Catalano, who is retiring in early June after more than 10 years as clerk. Hivner will take office June 3.
“Jim is an outstanding attorney, has special training and experience in finance, and has had valuable experience as a court administrator in Shelby County,” said Chief Justice Gary R. Wade.“I anticipate the transition to be seamless and for Jim to have a long and successful tenure in his new office.”
In his role as Clerk of the Appellate Courts, Hivner will oversee a staff of 29 at offices in Jackson, Nashville and Knoxville. He will serve the Supreme Court as well as the Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals.
“I am extremely honored that the Supreme Court has placed their confidence in me to serve as the Clerk of the Appellate Courts. I am excited about the opportunity to work with the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and the Court of Criminal Appeals as well as the outstanding staff assembled by Mr. Catalano in the Jackson, Nashville, and Knoxville offices,” said Hivner.
Prior to his role with the Shelby County courts, Hivner had a solo practice in Alabama before moving back to Tennessee, where he had an extended career with several law firms in Memphis. He also previously worked at NASA and served as an adjunct professor of business law at the University of North Alabama and Faulkner University.
Hivner earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee and received his J.D and LL.M. in taxation from the University of Alabama School of Law. He will be moving to Nashville with his wife and two children.
