Judicial Excellence Award Recipient Profile

JUDICIAL EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENT PROFILE By: Bill Vines

Butler, Vines & Babb

JUDGE STEVEN W. SWORD AWARDED JUDICIAL EXCELLENCE AWARD BY KBA

For many years, a specially appointed committee has annually considered the Knoxville Bar Association’s Judicial Excellence Award. The award has very rarely been given. Presenting an award to a sitting judge raises sensitive issues. Only after careful consideration by the committee, and a vote of the Knoxville Bar Association elected governors, is the award presented. The award is not given based upon a judge making “appropriate” rulings. It is given only with consideration of the entire body of work of a judge, including community service, and only where it is felt the work and service of the judge is outstanding.

The service and work of Judge Steve Sword is outstanding. At the annual meeting on December 9, 2022, the Association presented Judge Sword with the Judicial Excellence Award.

Steve Sword is a born leader. He is dedicated to his position. Police and Sheriff’s Officers have his cell number and many relate that he is always available. In fact, he came out of his daughter’s recital to sign a warrant! If anyone in the criminal justice system has a question, Judge Steve Sword is the first person asked. Importantly, he is available. He works hard and has tried over 300 cases.

When the COVID crisis hit, Judge Sword really stepped forward. In the criminal justice arena, there are statutes that apply to the timing of trials and address victims’ rights. The issues created by COVID could have caused very serious problems. However, Judge Sword stated, “Let’s get this done.” A special committee was formed with representatives of the Attorney General’s office, Defense Bar, Sheriff’s Office, Public Defender, and others. The committee met at least weekly and crafted methods to keep the system fully operational. Some trials were handled by Peams (Zoom). Others were in person, but under his leadership, Judge Sword’s courtroom became the first to be equipped with I.T. equipment, which helped with the safe conduct of the trials. Importantly, Judge Sword was available to help with the significant problems caused by COVID. He was at work “sun up to sun down” and most weekends. The system was kept successfully moving and was a model for other courts.

About Judge Steve Sword personally . . . he was raised in Bluefield, West Virginia. He came to college in Bristol. There, he received his degree in history and Bible and religion. He was then offered a Fellowship in Archeology, one of his interests. After consideration, he decided not to be the next Indiana Jones, but went to the University of Tennessee Law School. He interned at the Knox County District Attorney’s Office, and that experience had a strong direction for his future. He became an Assistant District Attorney and practiced in juvenile court. After 8 years, he moved to criminal court, emphasizing cases involving abuse of children. He was appointed to the Criminal Court Bench in 2011 and has served continuously since. He has been very active in the community. He was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Knox County Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, Co-Chair of the Criminal Justice Section of the Knoxville Bar Association, served on the KBA Board of Governors, is a Chaplain of the American Legion Post No. 2, and Lay Leader and Elder in his church. Being inspired by the events of September 11, 2001, he determined to give back to the community. He joined the U.S. Army Reserves and served as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General Corps providing numerous hours each month of legal services to the military. He served for 10 years. He met his wife, Alice, in school. Their daughter, Lucy, is a student at Mississippi State, and Annalee is a student at West High School.

What is his hobby? He is an avid bicyclist. It has been estimated that he travels over 10,000 miles by bike each year!

Judge Steve Sword is a special judicial officer and a special lawyer. He is deserving of the Knoxville Bar Association’s Judicial Excellence Award.