Judge Jeremy Ball was appointed Circuit Cout Judge of the fourth judicial district, which covers Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties, by Governor Bill Lee on Jan. 17, 2025. He was sworn into office on January 21 with his wife, Shelley, and daughter, Dana, by his side.
“Dana actually led the Pledge of Allegiance, so it was a good day,” said Judge Ball.
Numerous colleagues, and local and state representatives were also in attendance.
“Retired Chief Justice Gary Wade was there, said Judge Ball. “U.S. District Judge Charles Ashley was there, and most of our local circuit judges- Judge Rainer, Judge Gass, Judge Aker, Judge Moore, Chancellor Ripley--they were all there, as well as a couple general sessions judges, Mark Strange and Will Roach. It was special and humbling that so many people came out to support me.”
The following day, Judge Ball took the bench for the first time.
“Fortunately for me, it was in Jefferson County Criminal Court, which is where I had practiced for years so it felt very familiar,” he said. “And one of our other judges was there, which was helpful, because he was able to handle some of the cases that I had to recuse from. It was a very good day. I was fortunate that it fell on Jefferson County Criminal Court Day. It was very special.”
By day two, Judge Ball was presiding over the drug recovery court where he spent many years as an assistant district attorney (ADA) before taking the bench. Judge Ball said that was special, too. During his first weeks on the job, Judge Ball realized how much he enjoys working with people within the court system, from judges, to lawyers, to clerks and court officers.
“I was primarily based in Jefferson County, so really getting more knowledge about the other people in those districts, particularly on the civil side, because I had always been an ADA. It’s been fun to meet people that I haven’t dealt with on a day-to-day basis yet.”
Looking back, thoughts of a law career began when Judge Ball was an undergraduate at Carson-Newman University.
“I had completed an internship in General Sessions Court in Cocke County, where I grew up, and that was sort of my first window into it,” he said. “It really struck me that regardless of who you were or your station in life, everyone who comes to court has some type of problem that they need resolved. Whether it’s civil or criminal, they’re there because they have a problem, so it struck me as a place where you could do a lot of good.”
Judge Ball went on to graduate from Vanderbilt University Law School. He credits the late judge Duane Slone and the late Judge Alfred Strand for planting the seed that led to a future on the bench.
“Hearing the two judges I practiced in front of every day say that got my attention,” said Judge Ball. “My boss Jimmy Dunn has always been supportive. He also kind of suggested that it might be a fit for me in terms of my temperament and just the way that I practice.”
It appears that District 4 has its share of great mentors. In addition to the late Judges Slone and Strand, Judge Ball speaks highly of the advice and help he’s received from Circuit Court Judge Rex Henry Ogle, General Sessions Court Judge Mark Strange and Circuit Court Judge Jim Gass.
“I couldn’t say enough about all of them,” he said. “We’ve got a really great core of judges here and, number one, it makes it inspiring to seek the position and, number two, it makes the transition a lot easier in terms of the people that you’re working alongside.”
Still, filling the vacancy left by Judge Duane Slone, who died unexpectedly in 2024, is bittersweet.
“Obviously, none of us could have foreseen that an opening would have happened this way, but it is very sad that he is gone,” said Judge Ball. “I would give it all up in a heartbeat if we could have him back. He was very well-known and nationally recognized for some of the programs that were started here. I feel that it’s incumbent upon me to make sure that those programs continue.”
In addition to honoring Judge Slone’s legacy, Judge Ball has set some goals for himself.
“I want to make sure every litigant who comes before the court feels like their case is heard and dealt with in a fair and efficient manner.”
