Judicial Election Chancery Court Candidates

KNOX COUNTY CHANCERY COURT

Chancellor Division I
 

John F. Weaver

Education/Schools Attended
B.S., Highest Honors, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1972
J.D., Emory University, 1977

Legal Experience
Chancellor, Knox County Chancery Court, Part I, 1998 to present; Clerk & Master, Knox County Chancery Court, 1993 to 1998; Adjunct faculty member, UT College of Law, 2003 to 2014; Panel Trustee, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, 1986-1993; General Civil Practice, McCord, Weaver & Troutman, 1977-1993 (with emphasis on commercial litigation)

Legal Affiliations
Co-chair, Professionalism Committee, Knoxville Bar Association (“KBA”); Former Member, Board of Governors, KBA; Fellow, Knoxville Bar Foundation; Emeritus Member, Hamilton Burnett Inn of Court; Former Member, Disciplinary District Committee, Board of Professional Responsibility; Former Member, KBA Fee Dispute Resolution Committee; Former Vice-President, Tennessee Judicial Conference ("TJC"); Former Executive Committee Member, Tennessee Judicial Conference; Former Treasurer, TJC; Chaired, TJC Committee to Report on Tennessee Code of Judicial Conduct; Chaired, Joint Committee of TJC and Tennessee Trial Judges Association on New Tennessee Code of Judicial Conduct; Chair, TJC Court Clerks Committee; Chair, TJC Committee on Judicial Sensitivity and Fairness; Member, Advisory Board, Institute for Professional Leadership; Member, Knoxville Bar Association; Member, Tennessee Judicial Conference; Member, Tennessee Trial Judges Association

Civic Involvement
After taking the bench, served 18 years on support staff for local high school football team.

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
Approx. 11,280 contested cases; approx. 41,880 total cases

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
Approx. 55 hrs. per week: 5 days per week, 5 hrs. per day in court; 6 days per week, 5 hrs. per day reviewing files, entering orders and doing research and writing. 

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
Diligence and stamina.

Chancellor Division II
 

Richard "Bud" Armstrong

Education/Schools Attended
University of Tennessee, Knoxville Bachelor of Arts 1975; University of Tennessee, Knoxville Master of Science 1979; Columbia University, New York, Doctor of Education 1986; Nashville School of Law, Nashville Doctor of Jurisprudence

Legal Experience
Passed Bar First attempt 2008; Armstrong Law Office 2008-2012; Knox County Law Director 2012-2020; Armstrong Law Firm 2020-Present; Legal experience 14 years.

Legal Affiliations
I have practiced in Juvenile, Sessions, Chancery, Chancery Probate and Circuit Courts of Knox County and (Blount). I directed and participated in an average of 500 cases or claims per year as Knox County Law Director. I represented all the Elected Officials of Knox County, the Knox County Board of Education, Knox County Judges and Knox County Commission. In this capacity I counseled, advised, and represented each. I was the Tax Attorney. the Knox County Trustee. In which capacity we saved the citizens of Knox County over $2,000.000 in administrative cost. Also, during this time, we received over $20,000,000 in judgements and settlements for Knox County. In addition, I reduced outside counsel expenses by $2,500,000. We reduced the overall administrative cost to Knox County and the Knox County Board of Education by some $10,000,000. I administered the Workers Compensation Department resulting in a $2,000,000 savings to Knox County. I also administered the Knox County Board of Education Workers Compensation Program saving them approximately $2,000,000 and providing coverage to over 8,000 teachers as new covered members. I have provided both oral and written opinions to the Knox County elected Officials and Commission as well as the Board of Education.

Civic Involvement
The Tennessee County Attorney Association (Board of Directors and President 2016-2017). American Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, Knoxville Bar Association (Continuing Legal Education and Legislative Committees, several sections). Halls Business and Professional Association, East Knox Business and Professional Association, (Founding member, Past Board Member). East Tennessee Historical Society, (Board of Directors, Volunteer of the Year – 1997, Assistant Treasurer, Treasurer 1998-2004. Volunteer - ETHS - First Family of Tennessee Project 1997, As a Board member we raised some $27,000,000 and built the East Tennessee History Center on Gay Street). Candor Marble (Board Member). Knox County Republican Party, (Parliamentarian 3 Conventions, Party Delegate, and Past President 8th District Republican Club). VFW 1733 Men's Auxiliary, (Trustee3 years). Tennessee Masonic Grand Lodge (Judicial Committee), Kerbela Shrine (Legal Counsel 2 years), Shekinah Lodge F&AM 524 (Past Master) Sand Branch United Methodist Church (Former positions held Trustee, Finance Committee, Sunday School Superintend, Sunday School Teacher, Lay support pastor).

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
Director of over 10 attorneys and 200+ contested cases per year from 2012-2018 Approximately 600 prior to 2012.

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
Have had cases in probate, wills, and family law issues as a private attorney. I have directed hundreds of pleadings for delinquent taxes, several false claims, several probate filings, and hearings reviewed pleadings almost daily and consulted on strategies and motions with 10 staff attorneys. I directed motions and cases daily for 8 years. I attended as counsel on occasions and was counsel on cases that were out of county due to recusal of the county judiciary. I worked with the State Attorney General on Sovereign Citizens Cases and had to remove many false liens against elected officials and employees of Knox County.

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
I provide thorough, consistent, conscientious, continuous, preparation in everything I do. I remember that it is not how remarks are directed toward me that matter, it only matters how I choose to receive them. I have the temperament to be a Chancellor as demonstrated during my tenure as Knox County Law Director. I am a student with a love for the law. I have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to apply the fact to the law regardless of the outcome and the research skills to do my own research. I remember that facts have no feelings, and the outcome is what it is. I can organize, analyze, and weigh many issues against the law and arrive at my own conclusion of law.

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Clarence E. "Eddie" Pridemore, Jr.

Education/Schools Attended
University of Alabama – B.S., 2004; Nashville School of Law – J.D., 2010 

Legal Experience
2011 – 2014 Solo Practitioner, Pridemore Law Offices 

Legal Affiliations
Knoxville Bar Association

R. Deno Cole

Education/Schools Attended
B.A., The Citadel, Charleston, SC, 1990-1993 (graduated in 3 years); J.D., Touro College, Huntington, NY, 1994-1997

Legal Experience
25 years active private practice

Legal Affiliations
Tennessee Bar Association; Knoxville Bar Association (serving on multiple committees); Federalist Society (President of my law school chapter)

Civic Involvement
Optimist Club of Knoxville (Former President and District Governor); Great Smokey Mountain Counsel, Boy Scouts of America (Former Board Member); Knoxville Bar Association (Professionalism Committee, Fee Dispute Committee, CLE Committee, Membership Committee, Family Law Section Member, Mock Trial Judge, Habitat for Humanity); Fourth Circuit Court Special Master for Orders of Protection; Hearing Committee Member, Board of Professional Responsibility; 2020 Attorney for Justice for Outstanding Pro Bono Work

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
1,000+ (jury and non-jury trials, appeals)

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
I have maintained a general law practice for more than 25 years, handling virtually every type of case over which Chancery Court has jurisdiction. I attend to Chancery Court cases almost every working day. A significant percentage of my practice is in family law (divorce, custody, child support, parentage, adoption, and orders of protection) in Chancery Court. I represent clients in connection with probate, estate planning, business law, construction law, debtor and creditor issues, and general contract law. I have also represented clients regarding tax collection cases, boundary disputes, fraudulent transfer cases, and declaratory judgment actions. The Tennessee Supreme Court appointed me as a Hearing Committee Member for the Board of Professional Responsibility to adjudicate matters involving lawyer misconduct. Appeals of those cases, like other administrative appeals, are heard in Chancery Court, and it is crucial to have a Chancellor who has had experience in administrative hearings such as lawyer discipline, unemployment benefits, civil forfeiture actions, and appeals from decisions by the Commissioner of the Department of Children’s Services. Having had extensive experienced in these cases as both a litigator and appellate lawyer, I will prove to be the candidate most well-versed in the law governing all of these types of cases.

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
In a word, experience. Aside from having vast and relevant experience as a practicing attorney in Knox County for more than 25 years, I have the temperament and skills to ensure that justice is fairly administered. I graduated from The Citadel, a rigorous military college, where I was taught to rise above difficult circumstances. As a Chancery Court judge, I would never raise my voice or lose my temper in the courtroom. I understand the pain clients endure as a result of litigation. I mentored with judges and attorneys before and during law school, which provided me with a foundation that helped shape me into a knowledgeable practicing attorney who will easily transition into an effective Chancellor. Both litigants and attorneys deserve a judge who understands the appellate process. I alone, among the candidates in this race, possess the experience writing briefs and arguing cases in all appellate Tennessee State Courts, including winning cases in the Tennessee Supreme Court, plus prevailing in the Federal Court of Appeals. I believe that the rule of law is paramount and should be fairly applied to all.

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Chancellor Division III
 

Christopher D. Heagerty

Education/Schools Attended
University of Tennessee – B.A., 1988; University of Tennessee College of Law – J.D., 1994 

Legal Experience
2015 – 2021 Solo Practitioner, Law Office of Christopher D. Heagerty, Knoxville, TN; 2004 – 2015 Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC, Knoxville, TN; 1994 – 2004 Carpenter & O’Connor, PLLC, Knoxville, TN 

Legal Affiliations
Knoxville Bar Association