Commission to Consider Nine Applicants for Circuit Court Vacancy in the 18th Judicial District

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider nine applicants when it meets Tuesday, May 21 in Gallatin to select nominees for a circuit court judge vacancy in the 18th Judicial District, which covers Sumner county. The new judicial position was created by the Tennessee General Assembly through Public Chapter No. 600, enacted March 27, 2024, as an Act to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16, Chapter 2 and is effective September 1, 2024.

The applicants are:

Matthew Grosland

Eric Mauldin

Kathryn Strong

Jennifer S. Nichols 

Michael Begley

Tara A. Wylie

Thomas B. Dean

William J. Whalen, Sr.

Keith C. Dennen

The public hearing to consider applicants will be Tuesday, May 21st in the Volunteer State Community College located at 1480 Nashville Pike, Gallatin, TN 37066 at 9:00 a.m. CDT.

Any member of the public may attend the public hearing and can express, orally or in writing, objections concerning applicant(s) for the judicial vacancy. If you require an accommodation and/or have special needs because of a qualified disability, or have questions about the Commission, please contact John Jefferson at the Administrative Office of the Courts at John.Jefferson@tncourts.gov or 615-741-2687.

The Commission is expected to vote immediately following the interviews and forward three names to Governor Bill Lee for his consideration.