--- title: "Holly M. Kirby | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/holly-m-kirby-tn-supreme-court-justice-statewide" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Holly M. Kirby Supreme Court of Tennessee · Justice ## Profile - Court: Supreme Court of Tennessee - State: Tennessee - Role: Justice - Service status: former - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Retirement: Justice Kirby announced her retirement effective June 30, 2026 - 2014–2026: Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court (Western Section) - Lifelong Tennessean who held the role of a Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court from 2014 to 2026, including as Chief Justice from 2023 to 2025, and is retiring June 30, 2026 - 2023–2025: Elected Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court - Judge, Court of Appeals of Tennessee, 1995-2014 - 2013 appointment: Named to the Tennessee Supreme Court by Governor Bill Haslam to replace Justice Janice M. Holder - 1995–2013: Judge on the Tennessee Court of Appeals — the first woman to serve on that court - She clerked for Judge Harry W. Wellford on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit before joining the Memphis law firm Burch, Porter & Johnson, where she became the firm’s first female partner in 1990 - The first University of Memphis graduate to sit on Tennessee’s highest court and the fourth woman to serve as Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court ### Education - University of Memphis School of Law in — J.D. (1982) - B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Memphis in 1979 ### Additional information - Born July 9, 1957. - Date of birth: 1957-07-09 - Columbia Central High School - Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law ## 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://tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/justices) - [Official roster](https://tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/justices) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/justices) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8276/holly-m-kirby/) - [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/8276/holly-m-kirby/) - [Wikidata: Holly M. Kirby](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16730884) - [tncourts.gov](https://tncourts.gov/press/2025/09/23/tennessee-supreme-court-justice-holly-kirby-announces-retirement) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8276/holly-m-kirby/) - [Wikidata: Holly M. Kirby](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16730884) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/holly-m-kirby-tn-supreme-court-justice-statewide", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/holly-m-kirby-tn-supreme-court-justice-statewide", "name": "Holly M. Kirby | KnowJudges", "description": "Holly M. Kirby, Supreme Court of Tennessee. 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