Judicial Election General Sessions Court Candidates

KNOX COUNTY GENERAL SESSIONS COURT

General Sessions Court Judge Division One

Charles "Chuck" A. Cerny, Jr.

Education/Schools Attended
Purdue University, BS Industrial Management, Industrial Engineering Minor, 1979-1983; University of Tennessee College of Law, 1983-1986

Legal Experience
Knox County Sessions Court Judge, 1998-present; Law Office of Chuck Cerny, January of 1998 to September of 1998; Knox County District Attorney General's Office, 1993-1998; Hamilton County District Attorney General's Office, 1988-1993; Law Office of B. Stewart Jenkins, 1986-1988

Legal Affiliations
Tennessee General Sessions Judges' Conference; General Sessions Judges' Conference Education Committee; Hamilton Burnette Inns of Court; Tennessee Association of Recovery Court Professionals (Board Member Judicial Representative); National Association of Drug Court Professionals (past member); Knoxville Bar Association

Civic Involvement
Various Leadership positions in my local Methodist Church; Leader of "Disciple" Adult Bible Study (a year long academic study of the Scriptures); youth Sunday School teacher; various fundraising activities for St. Jude's Hospital; Cycling Coach for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's "Team in Training" Program; Coach of various youth recreational league and AAU basketball teams 

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
Literally in excess of 110,000 criminal cases; 10's of thousands of civil cases.

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
I am presiding over dockets of General Sessions Court every day until the conclusion of the regular docket.  When the regular dockets conclude, I conduct contested civil cases that are scheduled by "special setting" on many afternoons.  Every Wednesday, I conduct "Staffing" for Recovery Court and Veterans' Treatment Court beginning at 1:30, and then I start the Recovery Court and Veterans' Treatment Court docket, which often lasts until after the dinner hour.

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
All judges are required to have legal knowledge, but Sessions Court in Knox County requires a willingness to tolerate huge caseloads and constant distractions.  I believe that I have the patience and demeanor to make Sessions Court no more stressful than it is naturally; I try to remind lawyers, witnesses and staff how much they are appreciated, I try to treat citizens accused and civil litigants with dignity, and I try to give selflessly of my time, effort and attention to doing my job well.  In addition, I am passionately committed to the "problem solving court" concept: that is, recovery courts, veterans' treatment courts, and mental health courts.  I believe that by making this extra effort, our community is safer, we spend fewer tax dollars on incarceration, and individual human beings can have better lives, eventually ending their involvement with the criminal justice system.

Campaign Website

Sarah W. Keith

Education/Schools Attended
University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D. with concentration in Advocacy and Dispute Resolution, 2003-2006; Tennessee Technological University, B.S. magna cum laude in Political Science/Minors in History and Psychology, 1999-2003

Legal Experience
Attorney at Law, Law Office of Sarah W. Keith, January 2022-present; Assistant District Attorney General, 6th Judicial District, 2007-2021; Assistant District Attorney General, 10th Judicial District, 2006-2007; Adjunct Instructor of Legal Ethics, South College, 2011-2012

Legal Affiliations
Admitted to Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States; Knoxville Bar Association/Co-Chair Criminal Justice Section, Judicial Committee, Governors' Award Committee; Tennessee Bar Association; South College Criminal Justice Advisory Board; Knox County Schools Criminal Justice Program Advisory Council; American Inns of Court, Hamilton-Burnett Chapter; East Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women; Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Tennessee MADD Prosecutor of the Year Hero Award 2012, CityView Magazine Top Prosecutors 2012, 2017, 2018, 2020; previously served with Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference/Trial Advocacy School Planning Committee and Faculty Member for New Prosecutors Academy, Trial Advocacy School in partnership with the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphries School of Law, and General Conference; Tennessee Gang Investigators Association; Vehicular Fatality Investigation Review Board; Child Protective Investigative Team; Child Fatality Review Board; Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force; District Attorney's Office Citizens Academy; provided instruction to law enforcement and other lawyers in this state and others through lectures and Continuing Legal Education presentations to the Governor's Highway Safety Office, Cleveland State, Blount County, Knoxville Police Department, and the Knox County Sheriff's Office Training Academies, the Tennessee Department of Corrections, the American Prosecutors Research Institute, Pellissippi State Community College, and the Knoxville Bar Association

Civic Involvement
Federal Bureau of Investigation Knoxville Citizens Academy; Metro Knoxville Airport Authority Aviation Citizens Academy; Knoxville Track Club; guest speaker for Tennessee Bar Association, Knoxville Bar Association, local schools, and community groups about criminal justice matters of interest; served as a mentor for knoxAchieves/tnAchieves, conducted mock interviews and served as a volunteer mock trial judge for students at UT College of Law; volunteered with Young Professionals of Knoxville for Second Harvest Food Bank and distributing toys to patients at East Tennessee Children's Hospital; volunteer for Mobile Meals Delivery, Emerald Youth Foundation Christmas Store, Empty Stocking Fund, Leadership Knox "Lead with Kindness" work project at Camp Buck Toms, Girls on the Run, and Habitat for Humanity; regular platelet donor for Medic Regional Blood Center, fundraiser for Team Fisher House Foundation via the Marine Corps Marathon

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
I have tried approximately 60-70 jury trials, some bench trials, and countless preliminary hearings and motion hearings in the course of my legal career. 

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
For the better part of over fifteen years I have been in court on a daily basis, handling hearings of all types (including preliminary, bond, various pretrial motions, entry of plea, sentencing, revocations of probation, and post conviction matters), plea negotiations, interviewing parties to a case, explaining court processes and outcomes to parties,  oral advocacy, and trials.  For the majority of my career, I was handling cases "vertically."  That means that I followed cases from the beginning (either when a warrant was served or an investigative file was brought to me) through their resolution (either through plea agreement, dismissal, or conviction at trial).  In those vertical assignments, I would cover cases in both Sessions and Criminal Courts daily.  For some unit assignments I was assigned to work exclusively in either Criminal Court or General Sessions Court. For those assignments I was in each of those courts on a daily basis.  My assignments with the District Attorney's Office included DUI, Career/Gang, Child Abuse Unit (Team Leader), and general prosecution. Now that I am in private practice, I do not have to cover a daily court docket.  I handle a mix of criminal and civil matters for clients both in court and in consultation and counsel situations.  I am seeking a General Sessions Judge position.  I have spent years in and covered innumerable cases in General Sessions Court. I have extensive experience with the local practice and procedures in our Sessions Courts, and I am prepared to preside over that court. 

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
I have spent my entire legal career in pursuit of justice and will continue to seek justice from the bench. My experience ranges from misdemeanors to murders. Handling cases throughout the judicial process has taught me how important the decisions made in Sessions Court truly are. I will handle each case professionally, with an even-keeled temperament. Everyone--victims, witnesses, people accused of a crime, police officers, plaintiffs, defendants, and lawyers--deserves to be treated with dignity, decency, and respect. I recognize my role is the umpire, not the player. Dockets should be handled efficiently and consistently. Everyone deserves their day in court, but they don't want that to take all day. I am used to hard work and long hours. I will work as long as it takes to handle cases correctly, but I will also respect citizens' time and strive to be as efficient as possible in the scheduling and management of the dockets. I am willing to take the time to objectively listen and carefully consider the facts, arguments, and applicable law that should be applied to achieve justice in each case. Everyone deserves equal protection under the law, and I will work to ensure that protection. 

Candidate Website

General Sessions Court Judge Division Two

Judson "Judd" Kyle Davis

Education/Schools Attended
Webb School of Knoxville,1995-2001; University of Tennessee, B.S. Agriculture Economics, 2001-2005;  Nashville School of Law, J.D. 2007-2010

Legal Experience
Public Defender's Community Law Office, Clerk, 2001-2006; Banks and Jones, Associate Attorney, 2011-2016;  6th District Attorney General, Assistant District Attorney, 2016-2021 

Legal Affiliations
Knoxville Bar Association, Co-Chair CLE Committee; Hamilton Burnett Inn of Court; Past Member of Tennessee Valley Mediation Association

Civic Involvement
Wesley House Community Center, Board Member; Church Street United Methodist Church 

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
1433

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
In my work at Banks and Jones, I was in all five General Sessions Courts weekly.  When I became Assistant District Attorney I was in General Sessions Court daily. Since taking the bench after being appointed I have been in General Sessions Court every day.

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
I have experience in both civil and criminal law, and the bulk of that experience has been in General Sessions Court.  I have the temperament and personality that is conducive to being a Judge in General Sessions Court.  The pace and volume of the cases in General Sessions court require someone like me with relevant experience and disposition in order to operate efficiently in General Sessions Court.

Candidate Website

Sharon Frankenberg

Education/Schools Attended   
University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, Doctor of Jurisprudence, 1985-1988; University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Psychology and Political Science, 1981-1985;

Legal Experience
Judicial Magistrate, Knox County, Tennessee Government 2015 to present; Contract Attorney, Wilson & Associates, Little Rock, Arkansas  1994 to 2003; Judicial Commissioner, Knox County, Tennessee Government 1994 to 1996; Sole Practitioner, Knoxville, Tennessee 1993 to present; Managing Attorney, Sawyer & Frankenberg/ Bankers’ Title, Knoxville, Tennessee 1992 to 1993; Managing Attorney, Ingram & Lowe/ Amqui Title, Knoxville, Tennessee 1990 to 1992; Of Counsel, Shapiro & Kirsch, Memphis, Tennessee 1991 to 1996; Associate, Norton & Luhn, Knoxville, Tennessee 1989 to 1990; Litigation Specialist, American National Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Springfield, Missouri  1988 to 1989

Legal Affiliations
President, East Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women, 1993 and 2007; Chair, General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section, Tennesee Bar Association, 2012-2013;  Co-Chairman Professionalism Committee, Knoxville Bar Association; Speaker and Coordinator, Bridge the Gap Course For Newly Admitted Attorneys,  Knoxville Bar Association; Corresponding Secretary, Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women 2007; Co-Editor Book, Legal Rights of Women in Tennessee 1991; Instructor and Author, Foreclosure Law in Tennessee, National Business Institute; Volunteer, Senior Law Handbook, Tennessee Bar Association; Instructor and Author, Foreclosure Law in Tennessee, National Business   Institute; CLE Presenter, Mechanic’s and Materialmen’s Liens, How to Start and Operate Your Own Law Practice, Bankruptcy Law ETLAW; Delegate, XII Conferencia de la AAJ y XV Congreso de la AIJD (Twelfth Conference of the Association of American Jurists, Havana, Cuba 2000;  Producer, General Practice Bootcamp Statewide Seminar, Tennessee Bar Association, 2012-2014;  Volunteer Attorney, Volunteer Legal Assistance Program and KBA Saturday Bar Program; Pro Bono Attorney, Fourth Circuit Court Orders of Protection; Special Judge, Knox County General Sessions Court; Top Attorney Social Security Disability Law, Cityview Magazine 2014; Attorney Panelist, U.T. College of Law, LMU Duncan School of Law; Weekly Columnist, “Focus on the Law,” Knoxville Focus Newspaper 2013-2015

Civic Involvement
Community Speaker, Wills and Living Wills, Foreclosure Law, Real Estate Law, Bankruptcy Law, Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Identity Theft, Human Trafficking; Community Outreach Organizer, ETLAW Donation Program for Volunteers of  America Shelter and YWCA; Fundraising Committee, Tennessee Woman Suffrage Memorial; Co-Host Annual Fundraising Party, Toys for Tots for Past 16 Years; Lay Reader, First Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, Tennessee; Legal Advisor, Habitat for Humanity, YWCA; Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity, Builds in Knoxville, Tennessee; Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity International, Build in Duhlikel, Nepal; Member, Knoxville Association of Women Executives 2006-2009;

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

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
I am currently appearing in General Sessions Court Civil Division about 9 days a month for contested and uncontested matters.  As a Judicial Magistrate, I work fulltime for Knox County including weekends and holidays.  I review criminal arrest warrants for probable cause and issue them for General Sessions Court.  I conduct jail arraignments for General Sessions Court.  I appoint attorneys to defendants in General Sessions Court and schedule hearings in General Sessions Court. I conduct initial bond hearings to determine conditions of release. I select levels of pre-trial supervision or appropriate release on recognizance. I conduct civil forfeiture hearings hearings for General Sessions Court several times each day and handle appeals from those cases as necessary, usually about once a month

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
I have the ability to see both sides of an issue clearly.  I have legal experience and life experience with all kinds of people who come into General Sessions Court.  Mentally challenged people, people with injuries and illness, elderly people, people suffering from addictions, victims of violence, perpetrators of violence, people with dementia, caregivers, counselors, law enforcement officers, foster families, very intelligent people, scammers, and loving people.  They are all entitled to fair treatment by our justice system and I give them the respect they deserve.   Their case is important to them and they need to feel heard and understood. As a General Sessions Court Judge I will not be partial to one side but do my best to balance the interests of all parties brought before me within the bounds of the law; 

Candidate Website

General Sessions Court Judge Division Three

Patricia H. Long

Education/Schools Attended
Rhodes College, BA, 1984-1988; University of Tennessee College of Law, JD, 1988-1991

Legal Experience 
Knox County Assistant Public Defender 1992-1994; Hagood, Tarpy & Cox 1995-2007; Knox County Assistant District Attorney General 2007-2008; Knox County General Sessions Judge, Division III 2008-present

Legal Affiliations
KBA, TGSJC

Civic Involvement
I am very active in my church and additional organizations, but prefer to keep that specific information limited for security reasons.

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
1,000+

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
Preside daily over 100s of cases on a rotating basis with 4 additional Knox County Sessions Judges in the Knox County Sessions Misdemeanor, DUI, Felony, Bonded/Cited, and Civil Courts.  4 of those weeks are criminal in nature where as a judge I handle roughly 100+ cases a day, managing the docket with plea dispositions, preliminary hearings, bond hearings, violation of probation hearings, bench trials, etc.  For the civil docket, that I week handle any civil matter limited at up to $25,000 in damages and also presiding over Landlord/Tenant disputes and eviction proceedings.

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
I possess the legal knowledge, disposition and experience to effectively, fairly, and consistently comply with Constitutional principles in the application of equitable justice to all parties before the Court.  I also am organized and knowledgeable in understanding the logistical aspects of our local criminal justice system to implement updates in processing, computer back-up, notifications to parties, accessibility, scheduling, docket management, etc. Also, I am one of the few judges with years of criminal defense and civil law private practice experience, which imbues my well-rounded legal perspective.

General Sessions Court Judge Division Four

Andrew Jackson, VI

Education/Schools Attended
University of Tennessee, Bachelor of Arts with High Honors, 1978; University of Tennessee College of Law, Doctor of Jurisprudence with Honors, 1981

Legal Experience
1982-1985 Wortley and Jackson, General Practice of Law; 1985-2006 Assistant District Attorney General with the Knox County District Attorney General's Office; 2006-present Knox County General Sessions Court Judge, Division IV

Legal Affiliations
Knoxville Bar Association; Tennessee General Sessions Judge Conference 2006-present; Past member of the Hamilton Burnett Inns of Court

Civic Involvement
Frequent lecturer at various civic groups and schools on President Andrew Jackson and on being a Sessions Court Judge

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
Thousands

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
I, with the other four Sessions Judges, rotate through five courts: Misdemeanor, DUI, Felony, Bonded/Cited, and Civil Court. In the criminal divisions of Sessions Court, I preside over various motion hearings, preliminary hearings, probation revocations, and the setting and adjusting of bonds. In addition, I hear and review applications for search warrants and subpoenas.  In Civil Sessions, I conduct non-jury trials on a whole range of matters, including, tort actions, contract disputes, and detainer actions.

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
I feel that some of the qualities that make a good judge are knowledge of the law, fairness, experience, and consistency.  I believe that over my forty years of practicing law I have developed these characteristics and do my best to apply them to every case over which I preside to the best of my ability.

General Sessions Court Judge Division Five

Tony W. Stansberry

Education/Schools Attended
University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors in Political Science; Fall 1979; University of Tennessee, George C. Taylor School of Law, Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree; December 1984

Legal Experience
General Sessions Court Judge, Division V 1995-Present; Knox County Environmental Court, 1995-Present; Knox County Drug Court, 1999-2006; Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos, 1994-1995; Knox County Attorney General's Office, 1987-1994; Knoxville Business College, 1991-1994; Bristol University, 1988-1990

Legal Affiliations
Knoxville Bar Association, 1995-2021; Past Member of American Judges Association; Knox County Drug Court, 1999-2006; Past Member Tennessee Association of Drug Court Professionals; Past Member National Association of Drug Court Professionals; Metropolitan Drug Commission, 1996-2004; Tennessee General Sessions Judge Conference 1995-present; Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference, Education Committee, 1998-2021; Past Member Tennessee Association of Environmental Court Judges, 1995-2005

Civic Involvement
Elks Lodge Member; Metropolitan Drug Commission; Knox County PTO; Have been a member of many civic and charitable organizations over the years

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
Over 128,000 criminal cases; Tens of thousands of civil cases

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
I am on a five week rotation in Misdemeanor Court, DUI Court, Felony Court, Bonded Arraignments and Civil and have done so for the past 26 years.

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
I have served on the bench and have provided fair and unbiased decisions in both criminal and civil court cases. Since being elected in 196 and re-elected by an overwhelming majority in 1998, 2006, and 2014, I have conducted thousands of preliminary hearings over a wide variety of cases from disorderly conduct to first degree murder and everything in between.