TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Mar 25, 2025

The Tennessee General Assembly has confirmed Judge Valerie L. Smith and Judge Steven W. Sword to their respective appellate courts. Both were appointed by Gov. Bill Lee on Feb. 28. Smith will join the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Western Division, to fill a vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Arnold B. Goldin. She previously served as a circuit court judge for the 30th Judicial District and worked as an attorney at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office. She received her law degree from the University of Memphis. Sword was confirmed to the Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Division, to fill a vacancy created by the death of Judge James C. Witt Jr. Sword served as a Knox County criminal court judge since 2011, and was an assistant district attorney for 15 years. He is also a judge advocate general in the U.S. Army Reserves. Sword received his law degree from the University of Tennessee School of Law.