Collier Receives Devitt Distinguished Service Award

U.S. District Judge Curtis L. Collier of Chattanooga was honored with the 2026 Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award at the Supreme Court.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Awards

Wide view of white marble steps and columns of a neoclassical civic building under overcast sky, with a single flag on a pole. — U.S. District Judge Curtis L. Collier of Chattanooga received the 2026 Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award at a Supreme Court ceremony in Washington. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

U.S. District Judge Curtis L. Collier received the 2026 Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award at a ceremony held at the Supreme Court of the United States. The award, presented by the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation, recognizes one Article III judge each year.

Why it matters

The Devitt Award is selected by a committee of federal judges, chaired in 2026 by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and honors a judge's service to the federal judiciary. For Chattanooga readers, it recognizes a local jurist whose career has spanned the Eastern District of Tennessee.

The Devitt Award recognizes a single Article III judge each year, making the honor one selection from the full federal bench. Collier, born in Marianna, Arkansas, is one of nine children and was appointed to the federal bench in 1995.

The players

Curtis L. Collier

U.S. District Judge who served as Chief Judge of the Eastern District of Tennessee from 2005 through 2012 and took senior status in 2014.

Ketanji Brown Jackson

Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States who chaired the 2026 Devitt Award selection committee.

Dwight D. Opperman Foundation

Foundation that presents the Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award.

The details

The award was presented at a ceremony at the Supreme Court of the United States on Thursday. Collier earned a Bachelor of Science from Tennessee State University in 1971 and a Juris Doctor from Duke University Law School in 1974.

1971: Collier obtains a Bachelor of Science from Tennessee State University.
1974: Collier obtains a Juris Doctor from Duke University Law School.
1995: Collier is appointed to the federal bench.
2005 through 2012: Collier serves as Chief Judge of the Eastern District of Tennessee.
2014: Collier takes senior status.

Lifestyle Culture Context

The Devitt Award, presented annually by the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation, has honored one Article III judge per year and ceremonies are held at the Supreme Court. Collier's 2026 recognition continues that tradition of celebrating judicial service.

Chattanooga residents who appear before the Eastern District of Tennessee may be interested to know their local federal judge has received a national honor. The recognition reflects the court's standing within the federal judiciary.