Jeffrey S. Bivins at a glance
- Current role
- Chief Justice
- Jurisdiction
- Tennessee · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Jeffrey S. Bivins
Chief Justice · Supreme Court of Tennessee
Biography
Professional career
- His first term was from September 2016 to September 2021, and he was unanimously elected again for a three-year term beginning September 1, 2025, succeeding Justice Holly Kirby
- From August 2011 to July 2014, he served on the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals In July 2014, Bivins joined the Tennessee Supreme Court by Governor Bill Haslam, filling the vacancy left by Justice William Koch
- Began his judicial service as a Circuit Court Judge for the 21st Judicial District of Tennessee, covering Williamson, Hickman, Lewis, and Perry Counties, initially from 1999 to 2000 and then from 2005 until his appointment to the appellate bench
- Practiced law privately from 1986 to 1995 and again from 2002 to 2005, and held the role of Assistant Commissioner and General Counsel for the Tennessee Department of Personnel from 1995 to 1999 and 2000 to 2002
- Bivins has held the role of Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court twice
- Justice Bivins has been actively involved in judicial and legal organizations
Education
- B.A., magna cum laude, in political science with a minor in criminal justice from East Tennessee State University in 1982 and his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1986.
Additional information
- He was subsequently elected to the remainder of the term in August 2016 and retained by voters in August 2022.
- Elected to a full eight-year term in 2006.
- Date of birth: 1960-08-31
- As Chief Justice, he oversees administrative functions of the court, including setting dockets, making designations, and ensuring the efficient administration of justice statewide
- He also held a leadership role as executive vice president and general counsel to Park Bath Corporation during his early career
- He is a past President of the John Marshall American Inn of Court and a member of the Harry Phillips American Inn of Court.
- He has served on the Board of Judicial Conduct, the Tennessee Judicial Evaluation Commission, and the Tennessee Judicial Conference, where he has held leadership roles.
- He is also a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, Tennessee Bar Foundation, and Nashville Bar Foundation and a member of the American Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and Williamson County Bar Association Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts
- Birth place: Kingsport
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 ↗
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Rule 30: Media Guidelines
Supreme Court of Tennessee
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 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 ↗