Haslam Appoints Wyatt Burk Circuit Court Judge in 17th Judicial District

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam appointed M. Wyatt Burk of Shelbyville as Circuit Court Judge for the 17th Judicial District. He replaces Judge Lee Russell, who has retired. The 17th Judicial District includes Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall and Moore counties.

Burk, 35, has practiced with Bobo, Hunt, White & Burk in Shelbyville since 2009, representing financial institutions, utility providers, and estates, representing clients in domestic relations matters, and handling other litigation matters. He was a senior accountant from 2004-2009 with Calsonic Kansei North America in Shelbyville and was an account representative for Scottrade in Knoxville from 2003-2004.

“Wyatt Burk has a diverse background in practicing law, and his experience will be an asset on the bench for the 17th Judicial District,” Haslam said. “He has also been active in several community organizations, which serves the district well.”

“I am truly humbled by this honor and I want to thank Governor Haslam, Counsel to the Governor Dwight Tarwater and the Trial Court Vacancy Commission for placing their confidence in me for this position,” Burk said. “It has always been my desire to deepen my professional calling by transitioning to the bench and serving the 17th Judicial District with the trust, confidence and impartiality that the position requires.”

Burk received his law degree from the Nashville School of Law in 2008 after receiving a bachelor’s degree in banking and finance from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 2004.

He is a member of the board of directors for Heritage South Community Credit Union and a board member of the Shelbyville and Bedford County Chamber of Commerce. He is a past board member for other organizations, including the Child Development Center from 2010-2014 and the Shelbyville/Bedford County Community Clinic from 2009-2012.

Burk is a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church in Shelbyville. He and his wife Shelli, have two children, Kaitlyn, 9, and Kennedy, 5.