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Monday, November 9, 2026Nov 9

Lee appoints new judge in Rutherford, Cannon counties

Court, law, scales of justice, Gavel, crime, judge, judgement, legal,
Court, law, scales of justice, Gavel, crime, judge, judgement, legal, Court, law, scales of justice, Gavel, crime, judge, judgement, legal,

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has appointed Bonita Jo Atwood as a Circuit Court judge for Rutherford and Cannon counties.

Lee’s office said in a statement Tuesday that Atwood is filling a vacancy created in the 16th Judicial Circuit by the retirement of Judge Royce Taylor in March.

A civil litigator, Atwood has served as a managing partner at Atwood and Moore since 1995. Atwood earned her law degree from the Nashville School of Law. She lives in Murfreesboro.

In a statement, Lee said Atwood “is an experienced litigator with the right temperament to serve on the bench.”