Mary L. Wagner Explained

Mary Louise Wagner (born 1984 or 1985) is an American lawyer who has served as a justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court since 2024.

Education

Wagner received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2006.^[1] She received a Juris Doctor from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law of the University of Memphis, graduating magna cum laude, in 2009.^[2]

Legal career

From 2009 to 2010, she served as a law clerk to Judge Steven Stafford of the Tennessee Court of Appeals. From 2010 to 2011, she was an associate with Teitner, Williams, Dooley and Napolitan PLLC. From 2012 to 2014, she was an adjunct professor at the University of Memphis School of Law. From 2011 to 2016, she was an associate with Rice, Amundsen & Aperton PLLC.

Judicial career

State court service

Wagner was one of three candidates suggested to Governor Bill Haslam to fill a vacant seat on the Shelby County Circuit Court bench. The vacancy occurred due to the retirement of Judge Donna Fields.^[3]

On October 24, 2016, Governor Haslam announced the appointment of Wagner to serve as a circuit court judge for the 30th Judicial District, which serves Shelby County.^{[4] [5]} She was elected on August 2, 2018 and re-elected on August 4, 2022.

Tennessee Supreme Court

In December 2023, Wagner was one of six candidates who applied for an upcoming vacancy.^[6] In January 2024, Wagner was named as one of three finalists for an upcoming vacancy.^[7]

On February 1, 2024, Governor Bill Lee nominated Wagner to a seat on the Tennessee Supreme Court. She would fill the vacancy left by Justice Roger A. Page, who will retire on August 31, 2024.^[8]

On March 11, 2024, she was confirmed to the court. The Tennessee House of Representatives voted 94–3 and the Tennessee Senate voted 32–0.^[9] She was sworn into office on August 21, 2024 by Chief Justice Holly Kirby.^[10] She assumed office on September 1, 2024.

Memberships

Wagner is a member of the Federalist Society.^[11]

Personal life

Wagner is married to Tom Owen.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Application for Nomination to Judicial Office . June 21, 2024 . tncourts.gov.
2. Web site: Hon. Mary Louise Wagner Profile Memphis, TN Lawyer Martindale.com . June 21, 2024 . www.martindale.com.
3. Web site: August 10, 2016 . Daily Digest . June 21, 2024 . Memphis Daily News.
4. Haslam Appoints Wagner Circuit Court Judge for 30th Judicial District . October 24, 2016 . Office of the Governor . June 21, 2024.
5. Web site: Circuit Court Judge Mary L. Wagner . https://web.archive.org/web/20211024163410/https://tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/mary-l-wagner . October 24, 2021 . June 21, 2024 . tncourts.gov.
6. Web site: Wethington . Caleb . December 11, 2023 . 6 apply for upcoming Tennessee Supreme Court vacancy . June 21, 2024 . www.wsmv.com . en.
7. Web site: Mealins . Evan . January 5, 2024 . Three finalists named for upcoming Tennessee Supreme Court vacancy . June 21, 2024 . The Tennessean . en-US.
8. Governor Lee Names Tennessee Supreme Court Appointee . February 1, 2024 . Tennessee Courts . June 21, 2024.
9. Web site: Mealins . Evan . March 11, 2024 . Tennessee General Assembly confirms Mary Wagner to state Supreme Court . June 21, 2024 . The Tennessean . en-US.
10. Web site: August 21, 2024 . [Oath of office] ]. September 3, 2024 . en-US . PDF.
11. Web site: Mealins . Evan . February 1, 2024 . Gov. Lee picks Memphis judge Mary Wagner for upcoming Tennessee Supreme Court vacancy . June 21, 2024 . The Tennessean . en-US.