CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Three area attorneys are being considered to become the next Circuit Court judge for Montgomery and Robertson counties.
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met Wednesday in Clarksville to select nominees for the position in the 19th Judicial District, which covers both counties.
The new judicial position was created by the Tennessee General Assembly in May and is effective Sept. 1.
According to a news release from the Tennessee Supreme Court, after holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the Commission selected the following nominees to forward to Gov. Bill Lee for consideration:
- Gregory D. Smith
- Ashleigh L. Travis
- Jeff K. Walker
Here is information on each of the candidates.
Gregory D. Smith
Smith has been a Tennessee trial lawyer since 1988, and according to his application, has represented thousands of clients in a wide range of matters, including:
- Civil litigation and appeals
- Mediation
- Criminal defense and appeals
- Family law, including divorce and child custody
- Military law, including military divorce and courts-martial
- Native American tribal law
Aside from his 35-year-long experience as an attorney, he has also served as a municipal judge for 25 years, and a Native American appellate judge for eight years.
He attended law school at Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, J.D., from 1985 to 1988 after achieving his undergraduate from Middle Tennessee State University. From 2011-2022, he attended the National Judicial College at the University of Nevada-Reno. He received an Executive Non-profit Leadership Certificate from Harvard University in 2020, and a Native American Studies Graduate Certification from Montana State University in 2017.
“Every case is unique, but they all require thoughtful legal analysis tailored to the client’s requirements and goals,” Smith said. “I work diligently to assure the best possible outcome for every legal conflict my clients face. While I always seek a fair and sustainable out-of-court solution, I am a seasoned litigator with hundreds of favorable verdicts.”
Ashleigh L. Travis
Travis currently serves as the 19th Judicial District Child Support magistrate judge and, according to her application, her cumulative legal experience spans more than 20 years and is comprised of the following:
- 19th Judicial District Child Support Magistrate Judge
- Bateman & Bateman, P.C., Attorneys at Law (now Bateman Law, P.C.) as a Paralegal/Legal assistant, and Associate Attorney.
Currently, Travis is appointed to preside over Circuit and Chancery Court IV-D child support dockets in the 19th Judicial District.
She also presides over Juvenile Court IV-D child support filings in Montgomery County, and Circuit and Chancery Court IV-D child support filings in the 18th Judicial District, which is a single county district consisting of Sumner County.
Travis obtained her undergraduate education from Austin Peay State University, B.B.A., 2008; Austin Peay State University, 2009. Before she attended Nashville School of Law, J.D., and graduated in 2014.
“Having successfully managed dockets throughout the Covid-19 pandemic is one example of my ability to manage large dockets, change procedures, and continue to efficiently dissolve cases,” Travis said. “If given the opportunity to be the next Division VI Circuit Court Judge, I will continue the same dedication and hard work ethic.”
Jeffrey K. Walker
Walker is presently employed as a partner at the Law Office of Walker & Garner, Attorneys, in Springfield. He was licensed to practice law in 1986 after graduating from Cumberland School of Law of Samford University.
After graduating and passing the bar, he began practicing law in Springfield with William R. “Bill” Goodman. The firm was known as Goodman & Walker, Attorneys. In 2014, after Goodman was elected to Circuit Court bench, he formed a partnership with Johnathon Garner, an associate attorney with Goodman and Walker. The firm is now known as Walker & Garner, Attorneys.
Walker has handled a variety of cases, including the following workload:
- Criminal Law (65%)
- Wills and Estates (10%)
- Personal Injury (10%)
- Family Law (10%)
- Miscellaneous Civil Cases (5%)
Before attending Cumberland and achieving his license to practice, Walker attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville for his undergraduate, where he was a member of the University of Tennessee Golf team and served as co-captain.