Judges

Biography
Judge James Edwin (Eddie) Lauderback. was appointed Circuit Court Judge, Part I, by Governor Bill Haslam in June 2015.

Prior to his appointment, he was a partner with the firm Herndon, Coleman, Brading and McKee in Johnson City. He was first licensed to practice law in 1982 after graduating from the University of Tennessee. (Bachelor of Science in Communications, 1979; Doctor of Jurisprudence, 1981).

Prior to his appointment to the bench, he had been appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court to serve on the Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission and also served as a Hearing Officer for the Board of Professional Responsibility.

Judge Suzanne S. Cook was elected Circuit Court Judge, Part II in August 2022.   Judge Cook graduated from The University of Tennessee in 1990 with her Bachelor's degree, 1992 with her Master's degree, and from The University of Tennessee College of Law in 1995.  

Prior to election, she practiced law with Hunter, Smith, and Davis, LLP for twenty-seven years, during which she earned an AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, and served as a Special Master, Arbitrator, Trustee, Guardian Ad-Litem, and Mediator.  She was an officer with the Washington County Bar Association and the Northeast Tennessee Chapter Board of Directors of the Federal Bar Association.   As a member of the Tennessee Bar Association, she has served in various roles including on the Advisory Commission on the Rules of Practice and Procedure, and coaching students in the Tennessee Bar Association High School Mock Trial program.   

Judge Cook is also an Adjunct Professor of Trial Practice for the University of Tennessee College of Law.