Nashville, Tenn- Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Kyle A. Hixson was surrounded by family, friends and colleagues as he took his oath of office from Governor Bill Lee at his investiture ceremony in Knoxville, July 7, 2026.
“There’s nobody I’m prouder to have selected,” said Governor Lee. “There’s nobody that is a finer man than Kyle Hixson. He’s a representation of this Supreme Court which is filled with incredibly competent, professionally capable people. But more than that, it’s filled with, and Kyle adds to that today, not just high caliber of legal expertise and quality of professionalism, but a man of integrity and of principles, and of values, who holds in his life the things which Tennesseans hold valuable.”
Justice Hixson was appointed to the Tennessee Supreme Court by Governor Lee and confirmed by the Tennessee General Assembly in January. He began his term on July 1, 2026, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Holly Kirby.
“Justice Hixson, Kyle, we know you will be a great justice on this court,” said Chief Justice Jeff Bivins. “Your combination of intellect, experience, integrity and personality will serve you well. But more importantly, they will allow you to continue your public service as a servant to the people of Tennessee. We welcome you to the Tennessee Supreme Court and Congratulations to you, my friend.”
Justice Hixson served on the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA), the state’s intermediate appellate court for criminal cases, from 2022 - 2026. Prior to his appointment to the CCA, he served as Criminal Court Judge in Knox County.
From 2022 to 2026, Justice Hixson served on the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, the state’s intermediate appellate court for criminal matters. Before his appointment to the appellate bench, he served as a Criminal Court Judge in Knox County.
“It’s a special day for my family and me, of course, but this is a celebration of the state of Tennessee, and I really appreciate all of you being here,” said Justice Kyle Hixson. “I can tell you on a personal note, the fact that this is happening to me just days after the 250th birthday of our great nation, it has been a very surreal and special experience for me.”
Justice Hixson earned both his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Tennessee. During his undergraduate studies as a broadcasting major, he began working for the Vol Network, an association that would last well into his legal career. Justice Hixson’s most notable role was as the color commentator for Tennessee baseball broadcasts, from 2005 through 2011.
After graduation from The University of Tennessee Winston College of Law, Justice Hixson worked as a criminal prosecutor in Knox County before moving to Middle Tennessee to serve in the Office of the Attorney General and Reporter. As Assistant Attorney General, Justice Hixson represented the State of Tennessee in appeals and lawsuits across the state, as well as in appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. In 2014, Justice Hixson returned to Knoxville to serve as Deputy District Attorney General, where he helped to supervise criminal prosecutions in the state’s third-largest jurisdiction. He served as Deputy District Attorney until the end of 2019, when he was appointed to the trial court bench by Governor Bill Lee.
Justice Hixson is active in the Knoxville community, where he has served on the board of directors for the Sertoma Center and CASA of East Tennessee. He is a Fellow with the Tennessee Bar Foundation, and a member of the Knoxville Bar Association and the Federalist Society. He has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law and serves on the College’s Alumni Council. He and his family are active members at Sevier Heights Church.
