July 15, 2003

NASHVILLE - Applications will be accepted through Sept. 2 from attorneys wanting to succeed Tennessee Appellate Court Clerk Cecil Crowson, who has announced he will retire effective Jan. 1, 2004, after a decade in the position and 23 years of service with the judicial system.

"His dedication to the judicial branch has been unwavering throughout his career with the courts," said Chief Justice Frank Drowota. "It is no cliche to say that Cecil will be a tough act to follow. He has been instrumental in implementing many changes to improve the system of justice in Tennessee while at the same time he and his staff have dealt with growing numbers of cases on appeal in the Court of Appeals, Court of Criminal Appeals and Supreme Court."

Crowson, a graduate of Vanderbilt Law School, was employed by the Supreme Court in 1975 to serve in a newly created position as staff attorney to the court. In 1993, he was appointed Appellate Court Clerk to oversee offices and staff in Nashville, Knoxville and Jackson. Prior to his appointment, each of the offices had a clerk and chief deputy clerk, but Crowson has been responsible for supervising and unifying practices and procedures for all three offices.

A screening committee made up of one member of the Court of Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals from each grand division will review applications and conduct interviews. The six-member committee will be assisted by Pam Taylor, human resources manager for the Administrative Office of the Courts. Finalists recommended by the committee will be interviewed by the five-member Tennessee Supreme Court and presiding judges of the Court of Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals or their designees.

Applications should be submitted to the Administrative Office of the Courts, Human Resources Office, 511 Union Street, Suite 600, Nashville, TN 37219.