Several Memphis jurists and a few just plain lawyers are seeking a change of venue as of Thursday, the deadline for applications for two state appellate court openings.
The openings were created when state Supreme Court Justice Janice M. Holder informed Governor Bill Haslam that she would not seek reelection when her term ends on August 31 of next year, and Judge David R. Farmer informed the governor similarly about his seat on the Court of Appeals, Western Division.
SUPREME COURT: All but one of the five applicants for Holder’s Supreme Court position are Memphians, as is Holder. They are:
Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft
Judge Holly Kirby, Court of Appeals, Western Section
John Brook Lathram of the Bass, Berry, and Sims law firm
Steve Mulroy, Shelby County Commissioner and University of Memphis law professor
The position is also sought by:
William Lewis Jenkins Jr., of the Dyersburg law firm Wilkerson Gauldin Hayes Jenkins & Dedmon
COURT OF APPEALS, WESTERN SECTION: Four of the six applicants are Memphians. They are:
Chancellor Kenny Armstrong
Frank S. Cantrell, deputy director of Memphis Area Legal Services
Rhynette Northcross Hurd, mediator and co-founder of the Ridder, Hurd firm
Dorothy J. Pounders, managing member of the Pounders, Coleman firm
There are two applicants from Jackson:
Brandon LK. Gipson, partner of the Pentecost and Gipson firm
Attorney Edward L. Martindale
The Governor’s Commission on Judicial Appointments will meet November 12 in Jackson to interview candidates for the Court of Appeals position and hear public comments. The Commission will then meet in Nashville on November 13 for the same purpose in regard to the Supreme Court candidates.
