NASHVILLE (AP) — The administrator of courts in Shelby County has been appointed clerk of Tennessee's appeals courts.

The state Supreme Court named James M. Hivner of Bartlett to the position overseeing a staff of 29 at offices in Jackson, Nashville and Knoxville. The appeals clerk handles filings, scheduling and notification for the civil and criminal appeals courts and for the Supreme Court.

Hivner earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee and his law degree from the University of Alabama. He previously worked for NASA, in private practice and as an adjunct professor of business law at the University of North Alabama and Faulkner University.

He starts his new job on June 3, replacing Mike Catalano, who is retiring after more than 10 years as clerk.