--- title: "Gary R. Wade | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gary-r-wade-5739" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Gary R. Wade Supreme Court of Tennessee · Judge ## Profile - Court: Supreme Court of Tennessee - State: Tennessee - Role: Judge - Service status: former - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Tennessee Supreme Court, 2006-present - In 2015, Wade became Vice President and Dean of Lincoln Memorial University’s Duncan School of Law, where he helped secure ABA accreditation, increased enrollment by over 300%, and improved bar exam pass rates. - Chief Justice (2012–2014): Served from September 1, 2012, to August 31, 2014 - Appellate Judge of the Year (American Board of Trial Advocates, 2004 & 2014) - Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals (1987–2006): Appointed in 1987, elected in 1988, 1990, 1998, and 2006; held the role of Presiding Judge from 1998 to 2006 - Private Practice (1973–1987): Began his legal career in Sevierville, Tennessee, at Ogle & Wade, P.C - Retired justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court and former Chief Justice of that court ### Education - University of Tennessee College of Law in — J.D. (1973) - Bachelor of Science cum laude from the University of Tennessee in 1970 ### Additional information - He taught trial practice until his retirement from teaching in 2020 - Practitioner, 2005-2005 - legis, 2005-2005 - Born May 31, 1948. - Date of birth: 1948-05-31 - He is co-founder and chairman emeritus of the Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and co-founder of Leadership Sevier. - Wade has been active in local, state, and national bar associations and is a Rule 31 Mediator ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### media coverage and recording Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### recording restrictions Scope: statewide Tennessee Rule 30 prohibits media coverage of jury selection, jurors, closed proceedings, and certain minor or juvenile-court participants. Evidence excerpt: Media coverage of jury selection is prohibited. [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote technology Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-55-use-technology-court-proceedings) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5739/gary-r-wade/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5739/gary-r-wade/) - [Supreme Court of Tennessee current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5739/gary-r-wade/) - [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines) - [Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-55-use-technology-court-proceedings) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5739/gary-r-wade/) - [Justice Gary R. Wade Announces Retirement From Supreme Court Later This Year | Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts](https://www.tncourts.gov/news/2015/07/24/justice-gary-r-wade-announces-retirement-supreme-court-later-year) - [Wikidata: Gary R. Wade](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17108961) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gary-r-wade-5739", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gary-r-wade-5739", "name": "Gary R. Wade | KnowJudges", "description": "Gary R. Wade, Supreme Court of Tennessee. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-22", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gary-r-wade-5739#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gary-r-wade-5739#judge", "name": "Gary R. 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