ABOUT PAT HESS

            Pat Hess, 46,  has served on the Anderson County bench for over eighteen years.  Hess is presently in her third term as Juvenile Court Judge.  She served as Juvenile Court Referee and Judicial Commissioner prior to that time.

            In making her announcement, Hess, a Democrat, said “It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Anderson County and particularly children and families since 1987.  Our children, youth, families and the agencies that serve them face many tough issues today.  Of all the elected positions,  experience counts in the position of Juvenile Court Judge. I appreciate the trust the voters have placed in me over the years.  I look forward to continuing to work hard to earn that trust.  If re-elected, I will continue to faithfully and impartially perform all the duties of this office.”

            Hess received her B.S. in Education from UT Knoxville, graduating in the top five percent of the university class.  Hess majored in English and minored in Chemistry.  Hess taught high school science before entering law school.

            Hess returned to UTK for law school, receiving her law degree in 1984.  She ranked in the top quarter of her class and received various advocacy and academic awards. 

            Before being hired as Juvenile Court Referee by now-retired judge Jennings B. Meredith, Hess practiced law with the Anderson County law firms of Joyce, Anderson and Meredith and Ridenour and Ridenour. 

            Throughout her career, Hess has been actively involved in developing programming to assist children and families.  In private practice,  Hess served on the founding board of CASA.  As Judge, she founded the Hug-a-Judge Program.  Hess helped start the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program serving youth offenders.  In the last two years, Hess spearheaded the effort to begin the Visitation Mediation Program serving unmarried parents and their children. That program is a model program in the state. 

            Hess’ knowledge and experience has been recognized many times through her selection to serve on advisory boards.  At the request of the Supreme Court’s Administrative Office of the Courts, Hess serves on state advisory groups for the Court Improvement Project,  for abused, unruly and delinquent minors in state’s custody, and for child custody/visitation issues.  The Department of Education chose Hess to represent the courts on their Task Force for Early Intervention for At-Risk Children.  Both Tennessee State University and Roane State have also chosen Hess to serve on advisory boards.

            Hess also has served on many non-profit boards, including the Children’s Advocacy Network, ARC, Health Council, Literacy Council and Campfire.

            Among the awards Hess has received is the Knoxville-area YWCA’s Tribute to Women Award for Excellence in Government and Law.  UT also selected Hess for the Local Government Leadership Program.

            In addition to her legal training, Hess is a certified public administrator through UT’s Center  for Government Training and is the first judge to complete that course of study.  Hess also completed training as a family mediator and is an alumnus of the National College of Juvenile and Family Justice and the National Judicial College.  Hess also serves as a trainer for the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and other agencies. 

            Hess has two children, Garrett, a 2005 graduate of Clinton High School now majoring in mechanical engineering at Tennessee Tech University and Beth, a sophomore at Clinton High School.  Hess has  resided in Clinton for over twenty years and attends Second Baptist Church of Clinton.