NASHVILLE (AP) — The Governor's Commission for Judicial Appointments is now taking applications to fill an upcoming vacancy on the state Supreme Court.

Justice Bill Koch has announced he is retiring on July 15 to become dean of the Nashville School of Law. Candidates from Middle or West Tennessee can apply through Feb. 21. Koch has served on the state's highest court since 2007.

The panel is scheduled to interview qualified applicants on March 5 in Nashville and then present Republican Gov. Bill Haslam with three finalists to choose from.

Haslam last month named Appeals Judge Holly Kirby to replace Justice Janice Holder, who isn't standing for another term in August.