Haslam Appoints McVeagh Special Judge for Hamilton County General Sessions Court

Appointment fills temporary vacancy while Judge David Bales remains on disability leave

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today appointed Alexander K. McVeagh as special judge for Division II of the Hamilton County General Sessions Court.

McVeagh’s appointment fills the temporary vacancy created last month when Haslam accepted Judge David E. Bales’ request to take a leave of absence due to a disability.

McVeagh, 31, has been a litigation attorney at Chambliss Law Firm since 2013 and has practiced both civil and criminal law in Hamilton County General Sessions Court, as well as state and federal courts in both Tennessee and Georgia and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

He previously served as head research analyst and law clerk with the Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee and as a research analyst and legislative liaison with the Tennessee District Public Defenders Conference.

“I am pleased to appoint Alex McVeagh and appreciate his willingness to serve as special judge. His experience in both private practice and state government will serve Hamilton County well,” Haslam said.

“I wish Judge Bales a smooth and speedy recovery. I pledge to honor the bench with integrity and continue to serve the law faithfully in this appointment. I am immensely grateful and deeply humbled by the governor’s trust to serve Hamilton County and honored to serve,” McVeagh said.

McVeagh earned his law degree from Vanderbilt Law School and a bachelor of science in economics and political science from Vanderbilt University.

He is involved in numerous community and professional organizations, including service on the boards of Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyer Division, YMCA’s Youth Community Action Program (YCAP), Federal Bar Association's Chattanooga Chapter, and last January was awarded YLD Volunteer of the Year by the Chattanooga Bar Association.