Nashville, Tenn. - The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments met in Knoxville today to select nominees for the upcoming vacancy on the Court of Appeals Eastern Section, following the retirement of Judge D. Michael Swiney on January 12, 2026. After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the Council selected the following nominees:
Rachel Park Hurt
William Erwin Phillips II
Melissa Thomas Willis
To view the nominees’ applications, click here.