Haslam Appoints Lauderback Judge In 1st Judicial District, succeeding retiring Judge Seeley

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has appointed James Edwin Lauderback of Johnson City as Circuit Court Judge in the First Judicial District.

The position became open with the retirement of Judge Thomas J. Seeley Jr. effective June 30.  The district includes Johnson, Carter, Washington and Unicoi counties.

“Eddie Lauderback will serve the First Judicial District well,” Haslam said. “His extensive experience makes him well qualified for this position, and Tennesseans in the district will be fortunate to have him on the bench.”

Lauderback, 57, has been a partner since 1991 at Herndon, Coleman, Brading & McKee in Johnson City and managing partner there since 2013. He was approved as a mediator in general civil mediation by the Tennessee Supreme Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission in 2011.

His practice has included insurance defense, personal injury, mediation and arbitration. He was appointed as special master by both the Washington County Chancery Court and the Washington County Circuit Court. Lauderback began serving as a mediator in 2001 and has mediated approximately 500 cases. He was appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court to serve a three-year term on the Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission in January this year. He serves as a hearing officer for the Board of Professional Responsibility. Lauderback has tried more than 30 jury trials in counties in Northeast Tennessee and more than 100 bench trials.

“I am very honored and humbled to be selected by Governor Haslam to serve as the next Circuit Judge, Part I, for the 1st Judicial District,” Lauderback said. “I look forward to serving the citizens of the 1st Judicial District and I pledge to do my very best to uphold the high standard of judicial excellence established by Judge Seeley and our other judges in this district.”

Lauderback received a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1979 from the University of Tennessee and a juris doctor in 1981 also from UT.

He is a past member of the board of directors for the United Way of Johnson City; past member of the board of directors for United Emmaus Community; and past member of the board of governors of the University of Tennessee National Alumni Association. He is also a past member of the board of directors of the Holston Conference Foundation and past president and member of the board of directors for non-profit Counseling and Consultation Services. He has also been involved in church mission work, Good Samaritan Ministries and participated in Access to Justice initiatives through pro bono work.   

Lauderback and his wife, Sandy, have three sons and two grandchildren.

- From http://www.tn.gov/governor/