The Judicial Nominating Commission has chosen Chancellor Jerri S. Bryant, of Athens, along with Chancellor Thomas Frierson, of Morristown, and State Sen. Mike Faulk, of Church Hill, from among the 11 candidates for an East Tennessee seat on the state Court of Appeals.
From the Chattanooga Times-Free Press:
The three names, vying for the seat of retired Judge Herschel P. Franks, will be sent to Gov. Bill Haslam for final appointment.
…Local attorney Chris Clem serves as the nominating commission’s vice chairman and helped lead the interview process, which lasted most of the day. “We had 11 extremely qualified candidates from Bristol and Johnson City down to Chattanooga,” Clem said. “It was a very hard task.”
Clem said each of the applicants received votes. Based on recent judicial nominations, Clem estimated the governor to take two to three months to select the replacement for Franks, who will officially retire on Dec. 31.
…Bryant, 50, has served as chancellor for the 10th Judicial District since 1998. The district includes Bradley, McMinn, Monroe and Polk counties.
Frierson, 54, has served as chancellor for the 3rd Judicial District since 1996. The district includes Greene, Hamblen, Hancock and Hawkins counties.
Mike Faulk, 59, was elected to the Tennessee senate in 2008. He did not seek re-election this year and his term has expired. He is a private practice lawyer.