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Joint convention confirms Valerie Smith and Steven Sword to Tennessee appellate courts
Summary
A joint convention of the Tennessee General Assembly on March 24, 2025, confirmed Judge Valerie Smith to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Western Section, and Judge Steven Sword to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Section, with separate roll-call votes in both chambers.
A joint convention of the Tennessee Senate and House of Representatives confirmed two judges to Tennessee appellate courts on March 24, 2025.
Pursuant to Article 6, Section 3 of the Tennessee Constitution and the resolution calling the joint convention (Senate Joint Resolution 307), the House confirmed Judge Valerie Smith of Shelby County to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Western Section, and later confirmed Judge Steven Sword of Knox County to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Section. The joint convention then adjourned after the two confirmations.
Representative Gillespie moved that “the House of Representatives confirm Judge Valerie Smith to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Western Section,” and Representative Leatherwood seconded the motion. The clerk conducted a roll-call vote in the House; the presiding officers reported that the House recorded 92 ayes and confirmed Smith. The Senate subsequently moved and seconded its confirmation (Senator Rose moved; Senator Taylor seconded) and recorded 32 ayes in the Senate; the presiding officer declared Smith confirmed.
For the second confirmation, Representative Davis moved that “the House of Representatives confirm Judge Steven Sword to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Section,” and Representative Farmer seconded. The House roll call produced 79 ayes and 10 noes; the clerk announced that the House had confirmed Sword. The Senate moved and seconded its confirmation in turn (Senator Massey moved; Senator Briggs seconded) and recorded 29 ayes and 2 nays; the presiding officer declared Sword confirmed.
The joint convention was called under the authority of Senate Joint Resolution 307, which cited Article 6, Section 3 of the Tennessee Constitution and Tennessee Code Annotated Title 17, Chapter 4; the resolution set the meeting for March 24, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. Central time in the House chamber. After announcing the two confirmations, the presiding officer said the purpose for which the joint convention was called had been accomplished and the convention stood adjourned.
No extended debate, public testimony, or amendments to the nominations are recorded in the transcript. The proceedings recorded the motions, seconding remarks, roll-call votes in both chambers, and the formal declarations of confirmation for both judges.
