JOHN COFFELT Staff Writer

Retired Coffee County Circuit Court Judge Vanessa Jackson was recently named by the Tennessee Supreme Court as the first female Senior Judge.

“I’ve always felt that I (wanted) the appointment not because I was the first female. I wanted the appointment because they thought I was the right person for the job,” Jackson said.

Jackson is one of seven senior judges, each having held an elected judge position to qualify for the appointment. A senior judge presides over cases when judges have recused themselves, have an extended illness or if the caseload is too heavy.

“I’m going to be stepping in for a judge who is retiring in Rutherford County. He already had cases set and they need someone to keep those cases flowing,” she said.

“We are sent where we are needed,” she said. “We travel where they need us to go.”

Jackson was a Circuit Court Judge for 13 years, she was succeeded by Judge Robert Carter.

Jackson said that she has always enjoyed the practice of law.

“I enjoyed my time on the bench. It was an honor and a challenge. I have enjoyed a few months of retirement, I’m ready to (work) on a part-time basis to get back in and continue that.”   

This marks 43 years Jackson has been in the legal profession. She started in 1979, practiced for 30 years until she was elected judge in 2009.

Judge Carter called the appointment an honor for Coffee County and the judiciary.