Governor Phil Bredesen today announced that Nashville attorney Monte Watkins and Davidson County General Sessions Court Judge Mark Fishburn will fill two newly created criminal court positions in the 20th Judicial District. The General Assembly created these two new criminal court positions earlier this year. "I am confident that Mr. Watkins and Judge Fishburn will serve with distinction as they fill these important positions in Davidson County," Bredesen said. "These Tennesseans each bring tremendous experience and skill to their positions, and are greatly admired in the Davidson County legal community. I am pleased they have agreed to serve."
This marks Bredesen's third and fourth judicial appointments since taking office January 18. Watkins is the first African American to serve on the Davidson County Criminal Court bench since 1987. Watkins, appointed to Division V, has practiced law as a solo practitioner in Nashville for 19 years. He specializes mainly in criminal defense, and also works in probate and real estate law. He has served as a guardian for veterans who are either physically or mentally incapable of managing their finances since 1985. "I can think of no better way to serve my community than by serving in the Davidson County Criminal Court," Watkins said. "I intend to bring dignity, respect and fairness to my position, and am pleased to have been chosen to serve."
Watkins, 56, holds bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology from Tennessee State University, Nashville, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from North Carolina Central University School of Law, Durham. He is a member of the Napier Looby Bar Association, a local African American Bar Association, and the National Bar Association. He currently chairs the District V Character and Fitness Committee of the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners. Previously, he served on the board of directors for the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC), and served as co-chair of the Committee to Implement Recommendations of the Racial, Gender and Ethnic Fairness Commissions from 1998 to 2000. He received the Past President's Award and a service award from the Napier Looby Bar Association, and an Outstanding Service Award from TSAC.
Fishburn, appointed to Division VI, has practiced law for 19 years. He has served as a Davidson County General Sessions Court judge since 1998, and served as presiding judge over Davidson County's General Sessions Courts from 1999 to 2000. He established and has presided over the Davidson County Mental Health Court since 2000, the fifth such court to be created in the United States.
"I am honored that Governor Bredesen has asked me to fill the Division VI position," said Fishburn. "I am prepared to fill the duties of the Davidson County Criminal Court with competency and integrity, and am humbled to be chosen for this position." Fishburn, 53, holds a bachelor's degree in science business from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Nashville School of Law. He is a member of the Tennessee and Nashville Bar Associations and was formerly a member of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. In 2003, Fishburn received the Mental Health Professional of the Year award from the Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee, and in 2001, received the award for the Outstanding Mental Health Advocate in the Criminal Justice System from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. In 1994, he received the Assistance of Counsel Award from the Nashville Bar Association for his efforts to assure indigent defendants the right to counsel.
The Division V and VI 20th Judicial District criminal court appointments become effective September 1, 2003, and appointments will serve until September 2004. There will be a special election to fill these appointments for a two-year term in 2004, and an election for a full eight-year term in 2006.