Governor Haslam Appoints Gardner Public Defender for 24th Judicial District

Replaces retired Public Defender Wilkinson

NASHVILLE – Gov. Bill Haslam has appointed Robert Taswell “Tas” Gardner of Paris as the Public Defender for the 24th Judicial District, which covers Benton, Carroll, Decatur, Hardin and Henry counties.  Gardner, 47, replaces Guy Wilkinson, who retired at the end of last year.

“Tas Gardner brings 24 years of experience working in the district Public Defender’s office,” Haslam said. “His record and experience will serve citizens of the district well.”  

Gardner has served as assistant public defender in the 24th District office in Camden since November 2008.  He served as investigator in the office from 1992-2008.

“I would like to thank Governor Haslam for his confidence in me and giving me this position,” Gardner said. “I am humbled, and I look forward to serving the people of the 24th Judicial District. I love what I do.”

Gardner received his law degree from the Nashville School of Law in 2008 after receiving a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1991 and an associate’s degree in business from Columbia State Community College in 1989.

He has been a member of the Board of Judicial Conduct since July 2012 and is a member of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He is a member of the Henry County Bar Association.

Gardner’s involvement in the community includes being a member of the Tennessee River Longbeards Committee, member of the Paris-Henry County Ducks Unlimited Committee and chairman of the Paris-Henry County Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Program. He has been a board member of the Springville Waterfowl Association since 1998, including serving as president of that organization from 2006-2007.

Gardner has three children, son Gray, 17, and daughters Meg, 14, and Remi, 9. He is a member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Paris.