The Tennessee Supreme Court has appointed former Judge W. Mark Ward as a senior judge for a term of four years, effective June 1, 2023. Judge Ward previously served as a criminal court judge in the 30th Judicial District from 2004 to 2022.
Under Tennessee Code Ann. § 17-2-302, the Supreme Court may appoint senior judges when one or more judicial districts require additional resources and the appointment will promote the effective administration of justice in the state. Senior judges can serve by designation of the chief justice in any judicial district in the state and often travel as needed.
“The Supreme Court is delighted that Judge Ward has agreed to take on the role of senior judge,” Chief Justice Roger A. Page said. “His vast experience and knowledge of Tennessee criminal law is unparalleled. This appointment will help the Court efficiently address conflicts of interest that require a judge to recuse from a case as well as docket backlogs across the state.”
Judge Ward is the author of Tennessee Criminal Trial Practice, published by West Publishing Company. It is used by judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys and is known as the authoritative treatise on criminal trial practice in Tennessee. He was the co-chair of the Tennessee Pattern Jury Instructions – Criminal Committee of the Tennessee Judicial Conference, which annually produces pattern jury instructions for use in criminal courts statewide. Judge Ward teaches Criminal Procedure II at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, and students have selected him as Adjunct Professor of the Year multiple times.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the people of Tennessee in this new role,” Judge Ward said. “Traveling the state to work with different judges, court clerks, and attorneys will be an incredible experience and one that I embrace. I am honored that the Supreme Court has selected me for this position.”
Prior to taking the bench, Judge Ward served as an assistant public defender from 1983 to 2004. He received his undergraduate degree in law enforcement from the University of Memphis in 1976 and his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 1978. He later received a master's degree in religion from the Memphis Theological Seminary in 1986 and a master's degree in criminal justice from the University of Memphis in 1998.