Chattanooga attorney Tracy Cox has been inducted as interim municipal court judge of Signal Mountain. The appointment makes her the town’s first female judge.
Cox will finish the term vacated by Judge Mark Rothberger, who has retired. She will serve for two years until the next election to choose a judge for a full eight-year term.
Cox was sworn in Saturday, Feb. 18 in a ceremony at Signal Mountain Town Hall. Judge Marie Williams inducted Cox and Bill Colvin, president of the Chattanooga Bar Association, assisted with the robing.
Cox’s father, retired Hamilton County District Attorney Bill Cox, was also present.
Cox said her willingness to not run as an incumbent in the next election was a factor in the town council’s decision to appoint her.
“Historically, when an incumbent runs on Signal Mountain there’s little to no opposition,” Cox says. “By not running, there will likely be more choices in the next election. This will allow the voters to select the next judge who will serve them.”
Cox is a partner at the firm of Markel, von Kessler & Cox in Chattanooga, where she practices family law.
She says she’s excited about serving Signal Mountain as a municipal court judge and is looking forward to working with the town council.