Criminal Court Judge Rebecca Stern said Friday she is strongly considering retiring next year.
She has a second home in Puerto Rico and plans to move there.
Judge Stern, who recently won a new eight-year term without opposition, said she will make an official announcement by Feb. 1.
The expected retirement date is expected to be sometime between June and September of 2015.
The appointment of a replacement will be by Governor Bill Haslam.
Mike Little, an attorney who recently became the top assistant in the public defender's office, is among those interested in the post.
General Sessions Court Judge Lila Statom has also been mentioned as a possibility.
Judge Stern was in the district attorney's office prior to being appointed to the judgeship.