Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts

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Sharon G. Lee

Supreme Court Justice

Sharon G. Lee was appointed to the Tennessee Supreme Court in 2008. From 2004 to 2008, she served on the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Justice Lee practiced law in her hometown of Madisonville from 1978 until 2004. She also served as the Madisonville municipal judge from 2002 to 2004.

Justice Lee received both her undergraduate and her law degree from the University of Tennessee.

Lee has served on the Knoxville Bar Association Board of Governors, as President of East Tennessee Lawyers' Association for Women, as a Board member for the Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women and is a member of the American, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Foundations. Lee also serves as a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Monroe County and the Knoxville YWCA.

Year Elected/Appointed

2008

Prior Judicial Experience

Tennessee Court of Appeals (2004 – 2008)
Madisonville City Judge (2002-2004) 

Previous Employment

Solo practitioner in Madisonville, TN (1978 - 2004)
City Judge, City of Madisonville (2002-2004)
Monroe County Attorney (1991-2004)
Vonore City Attorney (1986-1988) (1997-2004)
Madisonville City Attorney (1981-1987)
Family Mediator with advanced family domestic violence training (2001-2004)

Education

B.S. in Business Administration - Accounting, High Honors - University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1975)
University of Tennessee College of Law, 1978

Honors

  • Recipient of the Webb School of Knoxville Distinguished Alumni Award, 2010 
  • YWCA of Knoxville Tribute to Women Honoree, 2010
  • Recipient of the Woman of Achievement Award from the Girl Scouts Council of the Southern Appalachians, 2010
  • Recipient of the Spirit of Justice Award given annually by the East Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women, January 5, 2010
  • Recipient of the Spotlight Award from the National Association of Women Judges, June 14, 2005 
  • University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award, 2011

Membership(s)

  • Tennessee Judicial Conference (2004-current), Executive Committee
  • Tennessee Bar Foundation – Fellow
  • Knoxville Bar Foundation – Fellow
  • Tennessee Bar Association - House of Delegates Member (2003-2008)
  • Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women, East Tennessee Director at Large (2005-2008)
  • East Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women - Membership Co Chair- 2009, President – 2008, President-elect – 2007 
  • Monroe County Bar Association - President (2 terms), Vice-President, and Secretary 
  • Knoxville Bar Association, Board of Governors – 2009
  • National Association of Women Judges – District Director 
  • University of Tennessee College of Law – Law Fund Member
  • University of Tennessee College of Law – Alumni Advisory Council
  • The Hamilton Burnett American Inn of Court, Master Judiciary Member

Past Memberships:

  • Tennessee Municipal Judges Association
  • Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
  • Tennessee County Attorneys Association
  • American Bar Association
  • American Trial Lawyers Association
  • American Judicature Society
  • Scribes

Court Involvement:

  • Tennessee Judicial Conference, Executive Committee
  • Supreme Court Liaison to Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program and Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Secretary, Court of Appeals (2004-2008)
  • Member, Continuity of Operations Plan Committee
  • Member, Appellate Mediation Task Force
  • Member, Tennessee Code Commission Committee

Community Involvement

  • Board of Directors, Boys and Girls Club of Monroe County
  • Board of Directors, YWCA Knoxville
  • Knoxville Executive Women’s Association - Secretary and Member of Executive Board 
  • University of Tennessee College of Law Alumni Advisory Council - Dean Search Committee
  • Madisonville Elementary School PTA – President
  • Madisonville Middle School PTA – Vice President
  • Madisonville Middle School PTSO – Secretary
  • First United Methodist Church Member - Coordinator of Children’s Department, Lay Reader,
  • Sunday School Teacher, Chairperson of Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, Disciples Bible Study Participant
  • Hiwassee College Division Leader, 2004 Annual Fund Campaign
  • Monroe County Chamber of Commerce Member
  • Madisonville Downtown Association, Christmas event Co-Chair
  • Frequent Speaker to School and Civic Groups
  • Frequent Presenter of Continuing Legal Education Seminars to Bar Groups
Photo by Colby McLemore

Contact Info

  • 865-594-6707 (P)

Address

505 Main Street, Suite 236
P.O. Box 444
Knoxville, TN