Attorney Barrett Painter has been appointed to serve as the city judge of Cleveland, Tenn.CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Attorney Barrett Painter has been appointed to serve as the Cleveland Municipal Court judge.
On Monday, the Cleveland City Council voted 60 to select Painter, an attorney who primarily practices family law at the firm of Chancey, Kanavos, Love & Painter. In the Republican primary, he made a failed bid to become a Bradley County General Sessions judge.
Councilman David May made the motion to select Painter over attorney Andrew Morgan, who also applied for the position.
"I understand that they're both qualified and I think they both would make a fine judge ... but I think Barrett Painter would make the best judge," said May.
Painter said he considers the job a matter of service to Cleveland, citing his previous campaign platform.
"I wanted to give back to the city and it's been a goal of mine, and this position became available and I decided to apply for it," he said.
His father, Harlan Painter, served as the city attorney for Cleveland for over 40 years, he said.
Painter will be sworn in on Sept. 8 at the Museum Center at Five Points. City judge appointments are two-year terms.
Cleveland is currently served by interim city judge George McCoin, who is fulfilling the term of Judge Bill Moss, who was found shot to death in a downtown parking lot in the late morning hours of July 14.
"I accepted the appointment to give the city the opportunity to make a proper selection for the next city judge," said McCoin, who stated that he would not serve as municipal judge beyond the interim period.
Moss's death was ruled as self-inflicted, according to the Bradley County Medical Examiner's Office.
He served as Cleveland's municipal judge since 1975 and was described by Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland as a "dedicated public servant" and longtime friend.
"Bill was a real people person who gained the respect of everyone who came from his court," said Rowland.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.