Election 2023 Candidate Profiles

Tyler Mark Caviness

Education/Schools Attended
Tennessee Wesleyan University, B.A. English, Aug. 2010 to May 2014
University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D., August 2014 to May 2017

Legal Experience
Ritchie, Dillard, Davies & Johnson, P.C. - August 2016 to May 2017 (law clerk); May 2017 to October 2018 (associate attorney)
Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office - November 2018 to June 2021
Garza Law Firm, PLLC - July 2021 to December 2021
Law Office of Tyler M. Caviness - January 2022 to March 2022
Stephens, DiRado & Caviness, LLP - April 2022 to present

Legal Affiliations
Member - Knoxville Bar Association Chair of Publications Committee; Member - Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Member - National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Member - Hamilton Burnett American Inn of Court

Civic Involvement
Assistant Youth Lacrosse Coach - Knoxville Youth Sports (KYS)/Irish Youth Sports; Expungement Clinic Volunteer - University of Tennessee Legal Clinic; Over 50 hours of pro bono legal services provided in 2022

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
Three jury trials as lead counsel

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
I have represented clients on municipal code violations in Knoxville's Municipal Court approximately three to five times. I have assisted clients with court cost and driver's license revocation related issues arising from Municipal Court on many more occasions - whether it was through the University of Tennessee's Legal Clinic, or indirectly by helping clients gather necessary information when working as a Public Defender and assisting them with navigating the processes of the Court.

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
I am running for Municipal Court Judge to serve Knoxville and help people. For many people, Municipal Court is likely the only part of the judicial system that they will ever interact with. Most of them will be unrepresented and navigating the system alone. My background is in guiding people through the justice system. As a former Public Defender, and now in private practice, I have represented hundreds of people at all stages of the criminal justice process - from general sessions court through appeals at the state and federal levels. I also have experience with the administrative operation of a law office with my current practice. With this background, I will bring a fresh perspective to the Court. My goal is to guide the Court into its next chapter by embracing technology, improving efficiency, and being involved in the community by recognizing the social issues that the Court can positively influence. I am also motivated to ensure that everyone in the Court is treated fairly and with compassion, dignity, and respect.

Candidate Flyer

Hon. John R. Rosson, Jr. 

Education/Schools Attended
Western Kentucky University, BS in Business in 1970
University of Tennessee Law School, Doctor of Juris Prudence in 1975

Legal Experience
Private law practice, 1976 - current; Knoxville Municipal Judge, 1986 - current

Legal Affiliations
Knoxville Bar Assn, member and serves on Professionalism Committee, currently volunteers for Veteran's Legal clinic: American Bar Assn, member and have served on Executive Committee of Specialized Courts: American Judges Assn, member and have served on Board of Directors: Tennessee Municipal Judges Conference, member and serves on Legislative Committee, have served on Board and as Chairman of Long Range Planning Committee: Hamilton-Burnette American Inns of Court, an Honorary Legal Society, member: Tennessee Assn for Justice, former member: Tennessee Bar Assn, member.

Civic Involvement
Community Action Committee(CAC), currently serves on Board of Directors: Knoxville-Knox County Office on Aging, currently serves on Board of Directors: Joy of Music School, currently serves on Board of Directors: James White Fort, currently serves on Board: Downtown Sertoma Club, member and has served on Board of Directors: West Hills Community Assn, currently serves on Executive Committee: U S Army Reserves, Communication Specialist, honorable discharge (1970-1976); Parkinson Foundation, currently serves on Board of Directors.

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
hundreds of thousands

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
Hold daily court Monday - Friday hearing, citing, and disposing of city ordinance violations eg. traffic, animal codes, parking ticket appeals, red light camera appeals, under age possession of alcohol, and other class C misdemeanors issued by University of Tennessee, Knoxville Police and other municipal officers.

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
36 years of experience, even temperament, knowledge of the law, sense of fairness, real world experience, consistency in dealing with the public, everyone receives a fair hearing and all rights are respected.

Candidate Website

Candidate Flyer