News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission voted to recommend three individuals for the 13th Judicial Court Judge position Tuesday.
Chair Bill Koch announced the recommendations of Rebecca Brady, Wesley Thomas Bray, and J. Michael Shipman.
“I think all my colleagues and I were very impressed with the four individuals who applied for these jobs. We thought they answered the questions very well. We think the 13th Judicial District will be very well served by any of the three that are going to go to the Governor.”
The position opened following the announcement of Judge David Patterson’s retirement in March.
Governor Bill Lee will appoint one of the three applicants.
“The Governor will receive formal communications today of who the three are,” Koch said. “That will trigger the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation beginning a background and security check.”
Koch said he did not know when Lee will appoint a judge.
“That could take a number of weeks or longer depending on their schedule,” Koch said. “Following that background check, the Governor’s Office will interview each of the applicants and then make a final decision.”
Brady currently works for the Department of Children’s Services in Putnam County, while Shipman and Bray work in private practices in Cookeville.
Koch said even though Lee will appoint one of the applicants to serve, other applicants and lawyers can run for the position in 2020.
The 13th Judicial District serves Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, and White Counties. The commission reached the decision on the first ballot.
