--- title: "Jeffrey S. Bivins | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeffrey-s-bivins-tn-chief-justice-statewide" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Jeffrey S. Bivins Supreme Court of Tennessee · Chief Justice ## Profile - Court: Supreme Court of Tennessee - State: Tennessee - Role: Chief Justice - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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 ## 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) - [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) - [Wikidata: Jeffrey S. Bivins](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18124385) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeffrey-s-bivins-tn-chief-justice-statewide", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeffrey-s-bivins-tn-chief-justice-statewide", "name": "Jeffrey S. Bivins | KnowJudges", "description": "Jeffrey S. Bivins, 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/jeffrey-s-bivins-tn-chief-justice-statewide#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeffrey-s-bivins-tn-chief-justice-statewide#judge", "name": "Jeffrey S. 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