A new chief justice has taken his oath to be the head of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Saturday morning at the Sevier County courthouse, Justice Gary R. Wade was sworn in as the 29th chief justice.
Justice Wade was appointed to the Tennessee Supreme Court in 2006. He is a UT grad; he received both his undergraduate and law degree from the university.
Wade said he's spent the last 25 years of his career in the appellate system. He says he has big shoes to fill.
"My colleagues are all leaders and I will hurry and try to keep up with them, and I've got plenty of help. So the judiciary and its future are in good hands."
On Wednesday, Governor Haslam will administer the ceremonial oath to Chief Justice Wade at a dinner honoring the supreme court.