Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has selected Hamilton County attorney Amanda Dunn to fill the criminal court vacancy in the 11th judicial district. The confirmation of the Hon. Tom Greenholtz to the Court of Criminal Appeals-Eastern Section created the opening.
Dunn focuses on state and federal criminal defense work at the law firm of Houston & Alexander in Chattanooga.
She has been practicing law since 2004, when she handled insurance defense cases at Luther Anderson in Chattanooga. She later became interested in criminal defense work and has since tried multiple serious felony cases, including first-degree murder.
Dunn previously applied for the criminal court vacancy in 2015 and was chosen to interview with former Gov. Bill Haslam. The governor ultimately appointed Greenholtz to the bench.
Dunn was also a candidate in the Republican primary for criminal court judge in 2022.
Dunn holds a degree in political science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a juris doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law.
She served on the board of directors for Legal Aid of East Tennessee from 2013-2021 and is a member of the Chattanooga and Tennessee bar associations.
Legal Aid presented Dunn with its Outstanding Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year award in 2006.
“For almost 18 years, I’ve used my abilities as a lawyer to serve individual clients, some of whom were facing life imprisonment or other life-changing circumstances,” Dunn wrote in her application. “My goal has been to improve the lives of my clients, their families and the community at large. I’m seeking this judgeship because I want to use my legal skills for the highest purpose within my profession.”
Attorneys Robert Davis and Judge Alex McVeagh also applied for the post.