Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Wednesday nominated Sarah Campbell to fill a vacancy on the Tennessee Supreme Court, according to a release from the governor’s office.
Campbell, who currently serves as the associate solicitor general and special assistant to the Tennessee attorney general, would take the place of Justice Cornelia Clark, who passed away in September.
In her position with the attorney general’s office, she has represented the state before the Tennessee Supreme Court, the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Courts of Appeals
“Sarah is a highly accomplished attorney and brings valuable experience from the federal level, including the U.S. Supreme Court,” said Lee. “Her commitment to an originalist interpretation of the state and federal constitutions will serve Tennesseans well. She is well-suited for the state’s highest court and I am proud to appoint her to this position.”
The nominee received her law degree from Duke University and clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito and U.S. Court of Appeals Judge William H. Pryor.
Campbell was one of three finalists forwarded to Lee by the governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments. Two judges on the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Kristi M. Davis and Neal McBrayer, were also under consideration by the governor.
The nominee must be approved by the General Assembly.
In the same release, Lee chose Judge John W. Campbell, Sr. for the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, Western Division.
“John’s extensive background in criminal cases both as an attorney and judge have prepared him to serve Tennesseans on the Court of Criminal Appeals,” said Gov. Lee. “I appreciate his expertise and am grateful for his willingness to serve.”
Previously, Campbell worked as the assistant district attorney general in the 30th Judicial District for almost three decades.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Sarah Campbell” by Duke Law. Photo “Bill Lee” by Gov. Bill Lee. Background Photo “Tennessee Supreme Court Building” by Thomas R Machnitzki. CC BY 3.0.
I hope that the General Assembly confirms her quickly so she can get to work.