Sevier County Judge appointed by TN Supreme Court to serve on special commission
April 10, 2024, 4:20 p.m.

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Supreme Court appointed two new members to serve on the Access to Justice Commission beginning on April 1, 2024. The new members are Hon. Dwight E. Stokes of Sevierville and Junaid Odubeko of Nashville.

"The Tennessee Supreme Court is pleased that these individuals have accepted the Court's appointments to serve on the Access to Justice Commission," said Justice Jeff Bivins, Supreme Court Liaison to the Commission. "Both new members bring unique experience to the commission, Mr. Odubeko as a litigator at a large law firm, and Judge Stokes as a General Sessions Court judge. Their voices will add great value to the Commission and its work."

Hon. Dwight E. Stokes is a general sessions judge in Sevier County. He was first elected to the bench in 1998. He served as s trial lawyer for 21 years prior to being elected as judge. His trial practice focused on criminal, civil, and appellate work. Judge Stokes is a member of the 2005 Class of Leadership Sevier. He was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth and served on the State of Tennessee Court of the Judiciary. Judge Stokes is a regular speaker for the General Sessions Conference in criminal law.

Junaid Odubeko is a partner at Bradley and based in the Nashville office. His litigation practice focuses on advising and representing clients in complex commercial and business disputes and real estate. Junaid is designated as an ANSI Certified Information Privacy Professional by the International Association of Privacy Professionals. In addition, he represents clients in a variety of state regulatory matters before the state’s various departments, boards, and commissions. Junaid is a native of Memphis. He received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School.

The Court also reappointed McKenna Cox for a second three-year term ending on March 31, 2027.

The Court appointed Professor Joy Radice to serve as the next Chair of the Access to Justice Commission for a two-year term beginning on April 1, 2024.

“I am honored that the Court appointed me to serve as Chair to the Access to Justice Commission, “ stated Professor Radice. “The Commission will continue its work to better understand the civil legal needs of vulnerable Tennesseans and develop programs and initiatives that address those needs.”

John Farringer and Hon. Alexander McVeagh will be rotating off the Commission, as their second three-year terms expire on March 31, 2024, making them ineligible for reappointment. The Court thanked them both for their service to the Commission.

The mission of the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission is to provide collaborative leadership to create solutions and resources that address and eliminate barriers to justice for all. For more information, please visit tncourts.gov/programs/access-justice.