The Trial Court Vacancy Commission has received ten applications for two newly created criminal judgeships in the Thirtieth Judicial District. These positions were created pursuant to Public Chapter No. 937, Public Acts of 2026 which became effective on May 7, 2026.
The applicants are:
Meghan Fowler
Paul Hagerman
Melanie M. Headley
Christopher J. Lareau
Ruchee J. Patel
Seth M. Segraves
Dewun R. Settle
Jessica M. Van Dyke
Mitchell W. Wood
Marques T. Young
The Commission expects to vote immediately following the interviews and then forward nominees for both positions to Governor Bill Lee for his consideration.
For each position, Tenn. Code Ann. § 17-4-308(h) (2021) requires the Commission to “select three persons whom the Commission deems best qualified and available to fill the vacancy.” Following consultations of the Office of the Governor, the Commission will submit two separate sets of nominations to the Governor – one for each position – in the following manner. The Commission will select three applicants for the first vacancy. The Commission will then make its recommendations for the second vacancy. For this second vacancy, the Commission will recommend the two persons recommended for the first vacancy whom the Governor did not select and will also select one additional nominee.
This process ensures all applicants will be given full consideration for both positions.
The public hearing for these positions will be held Thursday, August 13 and Friday, August 14, 2026, at 9 a.m. local time, in the 30th Judicial District, inside the Historic Courtroom, Room 325 at The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, 1 North Front St., Memphis, TN 38103.
Any member of the public may attend the public hearing and can express, orally or in writing, objections concerning any of the applicant(s) for these judicial vacancies. If you require an accommodation and/or have special needs because of a qualified disability, or have questions about the Commission, please contact John Jefferson, Assistant General Counsel at the Administrative Office of the Courts, at John.Jefferson@tncourts.gov or (615) 741-2687.
For additional information, please contact John Jefferson, Assistant General Counsel, at john.jefferson@tncourts.gov.