TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Aug 18, 2025

Gov. Bill Lee on Friday appointed Emily Abbott to the 6th Judicial District Criminal Court, which covers Knox County, and William Lane to the 32nd Judicial District Circuit and Chancery courts, which cover Hickman, Lewis and Perry counties, according to a press release. Abbott, an assistant district attorney in the 7th Judicial District, earned her bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and her law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law. She fills a vacancy created by Judge Steven Sword’s appointment to the Court of Criminal Appeals. Lane, principal attorney at his own practice, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and his law degree from the Nashville School of Law. He fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Michael Spitzer. Both appointments take effect immediately.