Deadline Set for Walter Evans Chancery Court Bench Applications

At 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, the Trial Court Vacancy Commission will hold a meeting in order to address filling the vacancy left by the Honorable Walter L. Evans upon his retirement from Chancery Court, Part I of the 30th Judicial District of Shelby County.

Due to Covid-19, the hearing will be held virtually, using Zoom. It will be livestreamed to facilitate public viewing. Applicants must be at least 30 years of age, be licensed in Tennessee, have lived in the state for at least five years, and reside in the Judicial District. Applicants must submit the original signed application, as well as a digital copy, to the Administrative Office of the Courts by December 22, 2020.

More information on the hearing, including where and how to watch it, is available at the Tennessee Courts website.

Chancellor Walter L. Evans.
Credit: Supreme Court of Tennessee

Chancellor Walter L. Evans was originally elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2006. Prior to his tenure as Chancellor, he attended Howard University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1965 and his Juris Doctor in 1968. He then attended Harvard University where he graduated with a Master’s in Law in 1971. He was a Municipal Judge in Memphis from 1994 to 1998. Evans is a member of both Alpha Phi Alpha and Sigma Pi Phi fraternities, as well as the Memphis Bar Association, American Bar Association, and National Bar Association, Ben Jones Chapter. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Magnolia First Baptist Church.

Miles Mason, Sr. adds, “I really appreciate Chancellor Evans’ service to Tennessee. He gave everyone his best.” We wish him a long and happy retirement.

Update as of Dec. 23, 2020 from the Tennessee Bar Association:

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission has referred two applicants to Gov. Bill Lee, the Administrative Office of the Courts announced today. They are Walter L. Evans II and Scott A. Frick. The commission began accepting applications for a vacancy on Dec. 8. As of the Dec. 22 deadline just two candidates had applied. The commission reports that because it is unable to provide the governor with three names, the governor may fill the vacancy with any person who is qualified to serve as a chancellor in the 30th Judicial District. Read the commission’s letter to the governor and access candidate profiles on the AOC website.