Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Supreme Court has named J. Scott Griswold Clerk of the Appellate Courts. In this role, Griswold will serve the Supreme Court as well as the Court of Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals and oversee staff at offices in Jackson, Nashville, and Knoxville. Griswold comes to the appellate courts from Knox County where he served as Clerk and Master.
Griswold succeeds James M. Hivner, who did not seek reappointment for another term after 12 years.
“Scott Griswold brings a deep well of experience and proven leadership to this role. His years as the Knox County Clerk and Master gave him firsthand knowledge of the demands on our courts and the importance of efficient, accessible operations,” said Chief Justice Jeff Bivins. “He also led significant efforts to modernize technology within the Knox County court system, guiding improvements that strengthened service to the public and enhanced internal processes. As Tennessee undertakes a statewide initiative to modernize and standardize court technology, Scott’s expertise will be invaluable.”
“I am honored to be appointed as Tennessee’s next Clerk of the Appellate Courts,” said Scott Griswold. “I am grateful for the trust placed in me, and I look forward to working alongside our dedicated court staff to serve the judiciary, the legal community, and the people of Tennessee.”
Prior to joining the court system as Clerk and Master, Griswold was in private practice where he focused primarily on estate planning, administration, and litigation. He served as a law clerk for the Hon. William M. Barker when he was Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Griswold holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law and undergraduate degrees in Accounting and Political Science from Middle Tennessee State University. Griswold will start July 1, 2026.
