TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Jul 23, 2025

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission has received eight applications for a vacancy in the 20th Judicial District following the retirement of Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn. The applicants for the criminal court vacancy are Mark Cole, Ronald Dowdy, Dustin Faeder, Keeda J. Haynes, Dominic J. Leonardo, Kyle D. Parks, Stephen Douglas Thurman and James Harwell Todd. A public hearing for the candidates will be held July 31 at 9 a.m. CDT at the Nashville School of Law, 4013 Armory Oaks Dr., Nashville 37204. Any member of the public may attend and may express orally or in writing any objections about the applicants. The commission is expected to vote immediately following the interviews and forward nominees to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration.