From the desk of Governor Bredesen, March 11, 2009
NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen has appointed David E. Durham of Lebanon, Tenn., as criminal court judge in the 15th Judicial District. The vacancy was created by the death of Judge J.O. Bond in December. The 15th Judicial District is composed of Jackson, Macon, Smith, Trousdale, and Wilson Counties.
“David Durham has served the citizens of the 15th Judicial District for more than 20 years, most recently as Deputy District Attorney General, and I appreciate his willingness to continue his service in this new position,” said Bredesen. “I am pleased to make this appointment and have confidence that he will serve with fairness and integrity.”
In addition to Deputy District Attorney General since 2006, Durham has served the 15th Judicial District as the Assistant District Attorney General for both the Child Support Division and the Criminal Division. After graduating from the University of Tennessee College of Law in Knoxville in 1981, he served as a solo practitioner in Lebanon. In 1983, he was appointed as the Assistant Coordinator of Elections in the Office of the Secretary of State for the state of Tennessee.
“I’m honored to receive this appointment and appreciate the confidence Governor Bredesen has shown in me,” Durham said. “It is an honor to follow in the footsteps of my predecessor, Judge J.O. Bond, and I will do all I can to continue to serve the citizens of the state of Tennessee to the best of my abilities.”
Durham is a member of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference, Legislative Committee, as well as the Immunities Civil Liabilities Committee. He drafted the charter for the 15th Judicial District Drug Task Force in 1988 and has been a member of the board of directors since that time. For the last 20 years, Durham has provided training to various local and state law enforcement agencies on several topics, and lectures to civic, PTA and high school classrooms in the district regarding topics that relate to the abuse and prevention of controlled substances. He is married to Tania Durham and has three children.
Durham will serve until the August 2010 election when he may run to retain the seat.
Contact Governor Bredesen's Press Office: LYDIA LENKER, 615.741.3763 (OFFICE)