CLARKSVILLE, TN – Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Jill Bartee Ayers was confirmed to the appointment of Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, Middle Section by the General Assembly, on April 12, 2021.

A vacancy was created at the Court of Criminal Appeals, Middle District, by the retirement of Judge Thomas Woodall in fall 2020. There were initially 11 applicants who were interviewed by the Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments in October 2020. Three of the 11 applicants were moved forward for Gov. Bill Lee’s consideration. The three applicants interviewed with Lee and legal counsel to the governor in late October.

Lee appointed Ayers to fill the vacancy, and the appointment was then sent to the legislature in February. From that point Ayers had several appearances before the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Criminal Justice Committee. Both bodies recommended confirmation, and Ayers was unanimously confirmed in a joint session of the General Assembly on Monday, April 12.

“I appreciate the opportunity to have served the 19th Judicial District as a circuit court judge, and I will miss my colleagues, court staff and attorneys in Montgomery and Robertson counties. However, I am looking forward to this opportunity to continue to serve the state of Tennessee at the Court of Criminal Appeals,” said Ayers.

“We are grateful for the exemplary service Judge Ayers has given to Montgomery County and congratulate her on this next step in her career,” said Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett.

Ayers is currently wrapping up her work on the trial bench and will immediately begin serving in the Court of Criminal Appeals.