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Former Haslam attorney Dwight Tarwater nominated to Tennessee Supreme Court





Dwight Tarwater

Dwight Tarwater

Gov. Bill Lee has nominated Knoxville attorney Dwight Tarwater to the Tennessee Supreme Court to fill an upcoming vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Sharon Lee.

Tarwater, 67, previously served as General Council to former Gov. Bill Haslam. Lee described him as “a highly qualified attorney who will bring significant experience” to the court.

“His understanding of the judiciary’s appropriate role and commitment to the conservative principles of judicial restraint make him well-suited for the state’s highest court, and I am proud to appoint him to this position,” Lee said.

His nomination now goes to the state legislature for confirmation. Justices on the five-seat bench are appointed by the governor and affirmed for retention by popular vote every eight years. Supreme Court justices must be 35 years old or older, authorized to practice law in Tennessee and must have lived in the state for at least five years.

Lee selected Tarwater from three recommendations made by the Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments. The other two candidates Lee considered were Appeals Court Judge Kristi M. Davis of Knoxville and Criminal Appeals Court Judge Tom Greenholtz of Chattanooga.

Lee’s pick continues a trend of selecting administration-connected attorneys for high office: Justice Sarah Campbell, who joined the high court last year, previously served in the state Attorney General’s office. Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti previously served as Lee’s chief counsel.   

Tarwater earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Tennessee and J.D. at the University of Tennessee College of Law. He founded Paine Tarwater Bickers, LLP in 1987. While chief counsel in the Haslam administration, he reviewed and commented on pending legislation and coordinated the governor’s judicial appointments. 

Tarwater is Lee’s second appointment to the state Supreme Court: he also appointed Justice Sarah Campbell, who joined the court in early 2022. Chief Justice Roger Page and Justices Holly Kirby and Jeffery Bivins were appointed by Gov. Bill Haslam.

Justice Lee announced last year that she would retire in August 2023. She is the longest-serving member of the state’s highest court and last remaining Democrat-appointed justice, picked by then-Gov. Phil Bredesen in 2008.

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