Press release

I'm proud and happy to assist all candidates in their efforts to take part in a free election. Here is the first press release directed towards us this year. I wish good luck to all the candidates.

PRESS RELEASE 

Feb. 8, 2014

Judge Barnes Seeks Re-Election to Lead Smyrna Court

Keta J. Barnes formally announced her bid for re-election as judge for the Town of Smyrna, thanking those who have supported her judicial career thus far.

“I want to thank each of you for your faith and trust in me. I ask for your continued support as I seek to retain the office of Smyrna Town Judge.”

The election will take place Aug. 7. The early voting period is July 18 through Aug. 2. The last day to register is July 8.

Barnes is completing an eight-year term as the presiding judge of the Smyrna Municipal/General Sessions Court.

"I'm proud of the progress that has been made during my first term,” she said. “We've improved the administration of justice and streamlined processes to save taxpayer dollars and save citizens' time."

The Smyrna Court has jurisdiction over a wide range of cases. It conducts preliminary hearings on felony criminal charges, hears misdemeanors, and hears municipal code and traffic violations. Judge Barnes adjudicates an average of 12,000 general sessions’ cases per year. 

Prior to her election, Barnes practiced law with Nashville firms Bass, Berry & Sims, PLC and Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, PLLC. As an attorney she litigated cases involving employment law, personal injury claims, pharmaceutical liability, products liability, contract law, health care law, business torts and criminal law. She is a published author, panelist and seminar presenter on various legal issues. She has received numerous awards and recognitions for excellence in the judiciary and service to the community.

She has served on the Metro Nashville Board of Ethical Conduct and is a graduate and past steering committee member of Leadership Law. She holds memberships in the Tennessee Bar Association, the Rutherford/Cannon County Bar Association, the Napier Looby Bar Association and Lawyers’ Association for Women. She has received judicial training from Tennessee Municipal Judges Conference, the Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference, and the prestigious National Judicial College.

She volunteers in her community through the Smyrna Rotary Club and the Rutherford County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Her civic involvement includes service on the StoneCrest Medical Center Board of Directors, Smyrna High School SACS Accreditation Review Committee, Middle Tennessee State University Honors College Board of Visitors, and the Junior League of Murfreesboro Community Advisory Board. She is a member of the North Rutherford County YMCA, the Blue Raider Athletic Association and Lake Providence Missionary Baptist Church.

Judge Barnes is married to J. Steven Barnes. They are the proud parents of two daughters. For additional information, visit www.judgeketabarnes.com