TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Sep 11, 2025

Judge Emily Abbott was appointed by Gov. Bill Lee to serve on the 6th Judicial District Criminal Court on Aug. 15 and was sworn in just three days later. “I wanted to go ahead and get sworn in immediately to be able to start hearing cases because Knox County had been without a judge since March,” Abbott said. She fills a vacancy created by Judge Steven Sword’s appointment to the appellate bench. Reflecting on her first days, Abbott said, “It was overwhelming, the welcome I received. Judge Sword swore me in. Judge Sanchez robed me. Justice Sharon Lee brought me her robe to wear on the bench until I can get mine ordered. She was at my swearing in, and it was amazing.” Abbott is just the second woman to serve in the Knox County Criminal Court. She previously was district attorney for the 7th Judicial District. Read more in a profile by the Administrative Office of the Courts.