D. Michael Swiney at a glance
- Current role
- Former Court of Appeals Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Tennessee · State
- Judicial service
- Former
D. Michael Swiney
Former Court of Appeals Judge · Tennessee Court of Appeals
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Tennessee, 1999-present
- Swiney held the role of Presiding Judge of the Court of Appeals from 2016 until his retirement
- He also held the role of a certified mediator with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee beginning in 1994 and was an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee College of Law from 1997 to 2006
- Practiced law in Knoxville, 1979-99; adjunct professor, University of Tennessee College of Law, 1997-2006
- Practiced law in Knoxville from 1979 to 1999, co-founding a litigation firm with colleagues including Dwight Tarwater, who later became a Tennessee Supreme Court Justice.
Education
- J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1978, after completing his undergraduate degree in 1971 and a master’s degree in 1974.
- University of Tennessee — M.S. (1974)
- University of Tennessee — B.S. (1971)
Additional information
- Judge Swiney officially retired on January 12, 2026, concluding over 25 years of service on the bench.
- He was re-elected in 2006 and 2014, and retained in 2022 with 72.6% of the vote.
- Joined the Tennessee Court of Appeals by Governor Don Sundquist in July 1999 and subsequently elected to the bench in August 2000.
- overseeing case assignments and administrative functions for the court
- He has expressed a desire to take some time post-retirement before committing to new activities, emphasizing the importance of public service throughout his career
- His professional affiliations include membership in the American Inns of Court (Hamilton Burnett Chapter) and the Tennessee Courts of the Judiciary
- During his tenure on the Court of Appeals, Swiney handled a wide variety of cases, ranging from small civil disputes to multi-million-dollar construction cases.
- He was known for his administrative leadership as Presiding Judge, working closely with other presiding judges to ensure timely processing of appeals.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 30 allows media coverage of public judicial proceedings subject to the presiding judge's control and requires written media requests at least two business days before the proceeding unless waived.
Requests by representatives of the media for such coverage must be made in writing to the presiding judge not less than two (2) business days before the proceeding is scheduled to begin.Rule 30: Media Guidelines ↗
Statewide
Tennessee Rule 30 prohibits media coverage of jury selection, jurors, closed proceedings, and certain minor or juvenile-court participants.
Media coverage of jury selection is prohibited.Rule 30: Media Guidelines ↗
Statewide
Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 30 allows media coverage of public judicial proceedings subject to the presiding judge's control and requires written media requests at least two business days before the proceeding unless waived.
Requests by representatives of the media for such coverage must be made in writing to the presiding judge not less than two (2) business days before the proceeding is scheduled to begin.Rule 30: Media Guidelines ↗
Statewide
Tennessee Rule 30 prohibits media coverage of jury selection, jurors, closed proceedings, and certain minor or juvenile-court participants.
Media coverage of jury selection is prohibited.Rule 30: Media Guidelines ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 55 permits teleconferencing, video conferencing, or other technology for court proceedings at the discretion of the trial or appellate court.
The use of teleconferencing, video conferencing or other technology to conduct court proceedings or other court business remotely is permissible at the discretion of the trial or appellate court.Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings ↗
Statewide
Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 55 permits teleconferencing, video conferencing, or other technology for court proceedings at the discretion of the trial or appellate court.
The use of teleconferencing, video conferencing or other technology to conduct court proceedings or other court business remotely is permissible at the discretion of the trial or appellate court.Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings ↗
Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster ↗Rule 30: Media Guidelines
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Rule 30: Media Guidelines ↗Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings ↗Court of Appeals of Tennessee current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View Court of Appeals of Tennessee current judicial profile ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗