Governor Phil Bredesen today announced that Murfreesboro attorney J. Mark Rogers will fill the Circuit Court vacancy in the 16th Judicial District, Part I, created by the retirement of Judge Steve Daniel. The 16th Judicial District covers Rutherford and Cannon counties.
“I am pleased to appoint Mark Rogers as Circuit Court judge,” Bredesen said. “Mark is an outstanding lawyer who is highly regarded by his peers in the bar and has been a vital member of the community in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. I know he will serve our state with distinction and integrity as he takes on this important role.” Rogers was “highly recommended” or “recommended” by 124 of 134 members of the Rutherford and Cannon County Bar Association who responded to a survey about the judicial vacancy.
Rogers has practiced law for 27 years. He began his career as an attorney with Rochelle and Callis in Wilson County and has worked in various capacities in solo practice or with associations of attorneys in Rutherford County since 1978. He currently practices with Rogers and Eischeid, an association of attorneys.
“I am honored Governor Bredesen has chosen to me to serve as a trial judge in the 16th Judicial District,” said Rogers. “In my new position as Circuit Court judge for Rutherford and Cannon Counties, I will work diligently to rule promptly and with due care to preserve and protect the rights of all parties involved.”
Rogers, 51, holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from The University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville. He is a member of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Tennessee Bar Association and is a “fellow” of the Tennessee Bar Foundation. He served as president of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association from 1999 to 2000. Since 2001, he has been a member of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Lawyers Professional Liability Committee. Rogers currently serves as pro bono counsel for Main Street: Murfreesboro/Rutherford County, Inc., a non-profit corporation created in 1985 to revitalize and maintain the downtown courthouse square area of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County.
Judge Daniel is retiring on August 31 after 24 years on the bench to assume a senior judge position with the Tennessee judiciary. Rogers will be sworn into office after Judge Daniel’s retirement and will stand for election to a full 8-year term in 2006.