Janice M. Holder
Encyclopedia
Janice M. Holder is an American judge who is a Tennessee Supreme Court
justice and was Chief Justice of Tennessee
from 2008 to 2010. She is the first woman ever to hold the chief justice position.
, attended Allegheny College
from 1967-1968. She received a Bachelor of Science
degree summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh
in 1971. In 1975 she was awarded the Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the law school
of Duquesne University
; during her final year there she served as Recent Decisions Editor of the law review
.
. While in Memphis she served as editor of the Memphis Bar Forum, 1987-1991; chair of the Tennessee Bar Association Commission on Women and Minorities, 1994-1996, trustee of the Tennessee Bar Foundation, 1995-1999 and its secretary from 1996-1999, and Master of the Bench of the Leo Bearman, Sr. American Inn of Court, 1995-1997, and was the recipient of numerous professional awards. She is also a founding member of the Tennessee Lawyers' Association for Women.
, and Division II deals primarily with civil cases. In 1996 she was one of three nominees for a vacancy on the Tennessee Supreme Court submitted to then-Governor of Tennessee Don Sundquist
under the Tennessee Plan
; she was the person subsequently selected by him and her service on the Supreme Court began in December 1996. In August 1998, having been recommended for retention under the process outlined in the Tennessee Plan, she was approved by the voters of the state for a full eight-year term. In August 2006, having again been recommended for another eight-year term, she was again approved by the voters with a majority exceeding 75% and receiving a majority of affirmative votes in each of the state's 95 counties.
Tennessee Supreme Court
The Tennessee Supreme Court is the state supreme court of the state of Tennessee. Cornelia Clark is the current Chief Justice.Unlike other states, in which the state attorney general is directly elected or appointed by the governor or state legislature, the Tennessee Supreme Court appoints the...
justice and was Chief Justice of Tennessee
Tennessee Supreme Court
The Tennessee Supreme Court is the state supreme court of the state of Tennessee. Cornelia Clark is the current Chief Justice.Unlike other states, in which the state attorney general is directly elected or appointed by the governor or state legislature, the Tennessee Supreme Court appoints the...
from 2008 to 2010. She is the first woman ever to hold the chief justice position.
Education
Holder, a native of McDonald, PennsylvaniaMcDonald, Pennsylvania
McDonald is a borough in Allegheny and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, 18 miles southwest of Pittsburgh. In the past, manufactories of bottles, oil-well drilling tools, flour-mill products, etc., existed here. Oil and coal were and still are procured in the area...
, attended Allegheny College
Allegheny College
Allegheny College is a private liberal arts college located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the town of Meadville. Founded in 1815, the college has about 2,100 undergraduate students.-Early history:...
from 1967-1968. She received a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
in 1971. In 1975 she was awarded the Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the law school
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
of Duquesne University
Duquesne University
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...
; during her final year there she served as Recent Decisions Editor of the law review
Law review
A law review is a scholarly journal focusing on legal issues, normally published by an organization of students at a law school or through a bar association...
.
Early legal career
After receiving her law degree, Holder served as a clerk for the Honorable Herbert P. Sorg, then Chief Judge of the federal court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. She engaged in the private practice of law from 1977 to 1990, moving during this time to Memphis, TennesseeMemphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
. While in Memphis she served as editor of the Memphis Bar Forum, 1987-1991; chair of the Tennessee Bar Association Commission on Women and Minorities, 1994-1996, trustee of the Tennessee Bar Foundation, 1995-1999 and its secretary from 1996-1999, and Master of the Bench of the Leo Bearman, Sr. American Inn of Court, 1995-1997, and was the recipient of numerous professional awards. She is also a founding member of the Tennessee Lawyers' Association for Women.
Judicial career
In 1990, Holder was elected to the position of Circuit Court Judge, Division II, Thirtieth Judicial District. This district consists of Shelby County, TennesseeShelby County, Tennessee
Shelby County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the state's largest both in terms of population and geographic area, with a population of 927,644 at the 2010 census...
, and Division II deals primarily with civil cases. In 1996 she was one of three nominees for a vacancy on the Tennessee Supreme Court submitted to then-Governor of Tennessee Don Sundquist
Don Sundquist
Donald Kenneth Sundquist is a former governor and congressman from Tennessee. A Republican, he served as the 47th Governor of Tennessee from 1995 to 2003...
under the Tennessee Plan
Tennessee Plan
The Tennessee Plan is a system of judicial appointment used in Tennessee. The system attempts to limit the influence of partisan politics over the state's judiciary...
; she was the person subsequently selected by him and her service on the Supreme Court began in December 1996. In August 1998, having been recommended for retention under the process outlined in the Tennessee Plan, she was approved by the voters of the state for a full eight-year term. In August 2006, having again been recommended for another eight-year term, she was again approved by the voters with a majority exceeding 75% and receiving a majority of affirmative votes in each of the state's 95 counties.