RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN – The list of candidates asking to be considered for the position soon to be vacated by long time Rutherford and Cannon County Circuit Court Civil Judge J. Mark Rogers will soon be decided. On August 30, 2023, the Trial Court Vacancy Commission will meet with the five candidates and narrow that list down to only three names.
A recent survey completed by 142 local attorneys to gauge their input on who they believe would be better suited for the job reveled a large number of lawyers backed longtime attorney Terry Fann.
According to the survey results, Fann received the overwhelming majority of support by his peers, garnering 83.80% of the votes. Michelle Howser placed second with just under 10% of the votes, followed by Derek Howard with almost 5% of the votes. Michael Jones had nearly 1.5% of the votes, while Stephen Grauberger didn't receive any votes.
Participants of the survey also answered who they felt had sufficient legal experience for the position currently held by Rogers. Again, Fann won that category hands down. Respondents also agreed that Fann would exhibit good judicial demeanor, and would work hard and be well prepared. Attorneys who took the survey also said that Fann would be attentive and constructive with counsel during oral argument. See the full results of the survey HERE.
The Honorable J. Mark Rogers recently announced his retirement after serving nearly 20-years as a judge in Rutherford County. Now, the Trial Court Vacancy Commission is considering five applicants to fill the soon-to-be vacant seat in the 16th Judicial District, which oversees Rutherford and Cannon Counties.
The five names being considered are:
Because Judge Rogers has 7-years left in his term, the new judge appointed to fill his position upon his retirement on September 1, 2023, will hold the seat for 7-years before having to run for re-election.
A public hearing is scheduled for August 30, 2023 at 9 AM. That hearing will be in the Historic Rutherford County Courthouse. The hearing will be in the county commission chambers of the courthouse (South Public Square, Murfreesboro at 9 a.m. CDT.).
Any member of the public may attend the public hearing and can express, orally or in writing, objections concerning applicant(s) for the judicial vacancy. If you require accommodation and/or have special needs because of a qualified disability, or have questions about the Commission, you are asked to contact John Jefferson at the Administrative Office of the Courts. His email address is John.Jefferson@tncourts.gov. You can also call him at 615-741-2687.
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is expected to vote immediately following the interviews and forward three names to Governor Bill Lee for his consideration. Ultimately, the Governor will have the deciding vote on the appointment of the next 16th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge.
MORE DETAILS - The Tennessee Courts report, “Qualified applicants must be licensed attorneys who are at least 30 years of age, have been residents of the state for five years, and are residents of the 16th Judicial District. Interested applicants must complete the Trial Court Vacancy Commission Application, which is available at www.tncourts.gov, and submit it to the Administrative Office of the Courts by noon CDT on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Applicants must submit by the deadline: (1) the original signed (unbound) application; and (2) a digital copy of the application, in order to have his/her name placed on the list of candidates for consideration for the judicial vacancy for which he/she is applying. Complete application instructions can be found at: http://www.tncourts.gov/administration/judicial-resources.”
The Commission will hold a public hearing to consider applicants on Wednesday, August 30th in the Rutherford County Commission Meeting Room in the Historic Courthouse located at South Public Square, Murfreesboro, TN 37130, at 9:00 a.m. CDT. For more information, visit https://www.tncourts.gov/administration/judicial-resources
