Five Tennessee Trial Court Judges Build Expertise at National Judicial College

Judge Brent Bradberry (Benton, Carroll, Decatur, Hardin and Henry counties), of McKenzie, Judge Cynthia Chappell (Davidson Co.), formerly of McKenzie, Judge Damita Dandridge (Shelby Co.), Judge Mark Hayes (Dyer and Lake Co.) and Judge Ryan Spitzer (Anderson Co.) recently completed an intensive two-week General Jurisdiction course for judges at the National Judicial College. The immersive course aims to provide judges with a solid foundation on courtroom leadership, judicial ethics, evidence, case management, judicial security, and decision-making. Graduates can earn credit hours toward a Master of Judicial Studies degree.

“For many judges, the transition from bar to bench is very swift and there is no ‘how-to guide’ available,” Judge Benes Z. Aldana (Ret.), president of the National Judicial College, said. “Judges must be lifelong learners and build a network of relationships with other judges they can reach out to on a regular basis. We were pleased to welcome five Tennessee judges to the College and hope we can continue to serve as a resource throughout their judicial careers.”

During the General Jurisdiction course, judges learn from top faculty recruited from the judiciary and subject matter experts from around the country. In addition to classroom-style learning, the course frequently breaks into small discussion groups that allow judges to have in-depth conversations and discuss issues currently before them.

The Tennessee judges all agreed that the experience was worthy and would benefit the administration of justice in their respective judicial districts.