Roger Nell
Roger Nell was a 2016 Republican candidate for the Nineteenth Circuit Court in Tennessee. He was defeated in the primary election on March 1, 2016.
Nell campaigned on his diverse legal background, which includes private, public and military court practice. In particular, he noted his experience with capital punishment cases and appeals on his campaign website.[1]
Education
Nell earned his bachelor's degree in history and political science from the University of Iowa from 1983 to 1987. He went on to receive a J.D. from Drake University between 1987 and 1990. He also holds a master's degree in military strategic studies from the United States Army War College.[2]
Military service
Nell served in active and reserve status in the U.S. Army from 1987 to 2013, including working as a prosecutor and judge in military court. He retired at the rank of Colonel after serving tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was a founding member of the Veterans Treatment Court. Click here to see a list of medals received by Nell during his military service.[1]
Career
- 2000–Present: District public defender, Nineteenth Circuit Court[3][1][2]
- 2011–2013: Deputy legal counsel, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff
- 2009–2011: Staff judge advocate, U.S. Joint Forces Command
- 2008–2009: Command judge advocate, U.S. Army
- 2005–2008: Military judge, U.S. Army
- 1990–1997, 2004–2005: Judge advocate, U.S. Army
- 2003–2004: Brigade judge advocate, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
- 1998–2000: Attorney in private practice
- With Goble & Nell, PLLC from 1999–2000
- Solo practice from 1998–1999
- 1997–1998: Assistant Attorney General, Tennessee
- 1992: Licensed to practice law, Tennessee
- 1992: Licensed to practice law, Florida
- 1990: Licensed to practice law, Iowa
Campaign themes
2016
Nell provided the following statement on his campaign website:
| “ |
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| —Roger Nell's campaign website (2016)[5] | ||
Elections
2016
Polls
A straw poll conducted prior to the primary election by the Montgomery County Bar Association found Roger Nell and Jill Ayers as the leading candidates in their respective Place III and IV races for the 19th Circuit Court. Fifty-two percent of poll participants favored Nell, while 37 percent favored Ted Crozier Jr. and 10 percent favored Herb Patrick. Ayers, meanwhile, polled at 62 percent in the Part IV race; her challenger, Robert Bateman, followed with 37 percent. The results were published in The Leaf-Chronicle on January 15, 2016.[6]
Selection method
Judges of the circuit court are elected in partisan elections. Each county may opt to hold nonpartisan elections instead. Judges serve eight-year terms, after which they must run for re-election if they wish to continue serving.[7][8]
The presiding judge of each court is elected to a one-year term by peer vote.[9]
Qualifications
To serve on the court, a judge must be:[7]
- authorized to practice law in state;
- a district resident for at least one year;
- a state resident five years; and
- at least 30 years old.
Awards and associations
- Tennessee Bar Association, Member[2]
- Kentucky Colonel, Governor of Kentucky
- Gideon's Hero, National Legal Aid and Defender Association, 2003
- Legion of Merit, U.S. Army
- Bronze Star Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, U.S. Army
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Army
- Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, U.S. Army
- Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, U.S. Army
- Army Achievement Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, U.S. Army
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Nell farms hay and cattle in Tennessee. He is married to Rhonda Kennedy Nell, with whom he has two children.[10]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Roger Nell for Judge, "Roger Nell's Experience," accessed February 23, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 LinkedIn, "Roger Nell," accessed February 23, 2016
- ↑ Tennessee Bar Association, "Roger Nell," accessed February 23, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Roger Nell for Judge, "Candidate for Part 3 Judge," accessed February 23, 2016
- ↑ The Leaf-Chronicle, "Jill Bartee Ayers, Roger Nell favorites in poll of judicial races," January 15, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Tennessee," archived September 11, 2014
- ↑ Justia - Tennessee Code, "16-15-202. Election Term," accessed November 20, 2014
- ↑ Tennessee State Courts, "Understanding Your Court System: A Guide to the Judicial Branch," accessed September 11, 2014
- ↑ Roger Nell for Judge, "Roger's Family and Farm," accessed February 23, 2016
Federal courts:
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Tennessee, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Tennessee, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee
State courts:
Tennessee Supreme Court • Tennessee Court of Appeals • Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals • Tennessee Circuit Court • Tennessee Chancery Courts • Tennessee Criminal Court • Tennessee Probate Court • Tennessee General Sessions Court • Tennessee Juvenile Court • Tennessee Municipal Court
State resources:
Courts in Tennessee • Tennessee judicial elections • Judicial selection in Tennessee
