As the Hon. Jeff Hollingsworth stood behind a podium in the Hamilton County circuit courtroom where he once presided over cases in Tennessee’s 11th judicial district, he saw a standing-room only gathering of family members, friends and colleagues.
Behind Hollingsworth, his visage gazed at the assembly from a large canvas on which local artist Michele Anderson had painted a stately but personable likeness of the judge.
The people were there March 30 to observe the unveiling of the portrait and to honor Hollingsworth for his 16 years of service from 2006-2022.
With the same affable but resolute voice some of the attorneys in the room had heard render judgement in their cases, Hollingsworth said the only two words he said came to his mind in that moment: “Thank you.”
After a pause, he then added, “To all of you.”
Hollingsworth’s successor, Judge Mike Dumitru, was presiding from the bench. He’d opened the ceremony with a story about the first time he met the now retired justice.
“I was a young and inexperienced lawyer sent here to do what all young lawyers are sent here to do: argue a losing motion,” Dumitru began. “My argument and the facts supporting it were trash, but you never would have known that by watching the judge, who listened intently. When I was done, he looked at me as if to say, ‘I know you did the best you could with what you had,’ and then said, ‘Thank you, counselor. Denied.’”
While Anderson had used an 8-year-old photo and mostly muted colors to render her vision of Hollingsworth, Dumitru used a second story to paint a portrait of a judge, mentor and man who gave great weight and consideration to both roles.
“In the months before I took the bench, I bothered the judge incessantly. I called him, sat in his courtroom to observe his cases, followed him to his chambers and peppered him with questions. And very much like the first time I met him, he was patient and he listened with deliberation.”
Judge Marie Williams, who was occupying a circuit court bench when Hollingsworth arrived in 2006 and continues to serve in the same capacity, followed Dumitru’s commencement of the ceremony with a full tribute.
Williams first traced her friend and fellow jurist’s life from his birth in New Orleans, to his academic years at Tulane University and Louisiana State University Law School, to his formative work as an assistant district attorney in Baton Rouge.
She then informed her listeners that Hollingsworth and his wife, Mary, moved to Hamilton County in 1984, and that he initially worked as an ADA under district attorney Gary Gerbitz.
“We’re blessed in this community that John and Mary chose to leave the charms of Louisiana and join us in Tennessee,” Williams said.
A move to private practice at Stophel & Stophel took place in 1989, Williams noted, after which Hollingsworth spent 17 years trying cases across the country.
“The bench, bar and juries received him well wherever he went,” Williams continued.
This brought Williams to her subject’s ascension to the bench in 2006 and the years that followed. Of that time, she said he served the district with great skill, as well as heart.
“There’s no disputing Jeff Hollingsworth has focused his efforts on the well-being of his fellow man. He demonstrated that dedication through his efforts in leadership positions at the Tennessee Judicial Conference and the Chattanooga Bar Association, his pro bono work, his service on the board of Hope for the Inner City and as a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Chattanooga. His commitment to justice is evident in these and other endeavors.”
As the moment for the unveiling approached, Williams wondered aloud which version of Hollingsworth it depicted.
“Will we see a face displaying wisdom and concern? Or will we see the loving life partner and spouse of Mary?
“Will we see a face painted with the care and concerns he showed for families in distress, corporations in conflict and attorneys who put forth their best efforts for the benefit of their clients?
“Or will we see the delighted face that presides over adoptions, weddings and other celebrations?”
Ultimately, Williams suggested, those in the room would see the face of a man who brought his intellect, integrity and exceptional work ethic to the bench.
Williams then quoted a passage from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible – Philippians 2:3-4 – which reads, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.”
“The man whose portrait we’re about to unveil has lived his life this way,” Williams said in conclusion, “and I have no doubt will continue to do so.”
Hollingsworth spoke next. As he gazed at the gathering, he offered a profusion of thanks – to his colleagues, to the members of Kiwanis, to his former campaign team, to the artist, to the clerks’ office, to his office staff, to his pastors at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church and to his wife, children and grandchildren.
Along the way, he told stories.
“Mary loves barbecue,” he said, looking back at his wife. “And when we ran in 2006, we ate so much barbecue it was 2010 before we could stomach any again.”
As he beheld his son and daughter, John and Katy, he admitted, “It’s hard to be a judge’s kid,” and as he pointed out his grandchildren, he suggested, “Whatever you’ve heard about being a grandparent, it’s better than that.”
As his time at the podium came to an end, Hollingworth offered a final expression of gratitude while looking at his portrait, which will soon occupy a patch of wall near his predecessor, the late Hon. Samuel Payne.
“When I arrived at LSU in 1974, I had no idea what I was getting into. I’d met one only lawyer before that. But something compelled me to go to law school, and little did I think I’d do all I’ve done – that I’d go to all the places I’ve traveled that I’d try all the cases I’ve tried, or that I’d become a judge.
“It’s been a blessing. But I cannot give enough thanks for the biggest blessing – the family, friends and colleagues with whom I’ve been associated on this journey. So, I’ll say in closing what I said in the beginning – thank you.”