Murfreesboro attorney and veteran judicial administration counsel Aaron Conklin announced that he will seek the nomination of the Republican Party for general sessions judge next spring.
If selected during the May 6, 2014 Rutherford County primary, Conklin would run for the Rutherford County General Sessions Court, Part I seat currently occupied by General Sessions Judge Ben Hall McFarlin, Jr., who was elected in 1998 and 2006 as a Democrat.
Conklin has a been a practicing attorney since 1997, serving as Assistant General Counsel for the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) for nine of his sixteen years of legal experience. During his tenure as Assistant General Counsel, Conklin advised a number of state commissions that affect the administration of justice, including the Judicial Nominating Commission, Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission, Tennessee Pattern Jury Instructions - Civil Committee, and Supreme Court Advisory Commission on Rules of Practice and Procedure. In addition, Conklin frequently spoke at judicial training meetings and conferences and also served as a legislative liaison to the Tennessee General Assembly, provided assistance as the State Judicial Branch ADA Coordinator, served as interim counsel to the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners, assisted in the administration of the Tennessee Bar Exam and developed a continuity of operations plan for the AOC. Prior to his service to the public as an attorney in the government sector, Conklin served as a law clerk for Judge J.S. "Steve" Daniel, Judge for the 16th Judicial District Circuit Court, serving Rutherford and Cannon counties, before opening his own law office in Rutherford County. In his practice, Conklin handled criminal and civil matters, as well as bankruptcy and estate planning. After a few years of solo practice, Conklin joined a small litigation firm in Brentwood, handling auto liability, premises liability, employment discrimination and contract matters in trial courts all across the state, as well as the state appellate courts. Conklin currently practices from a Murfreesboro office, serving as in house counsel for Rutherford County based Venture Express, Inc.
“I want to use my experience and knowledge of the law and judicial administration to correctly apply the law as it is written, bring greater efficiency to court processes and build public confidence in the judicial system. The public should be assured that the court system works for all people and that each case is given the appropriate amount of attention.” Conklin said.
Conklin grew up in Rutherford County, the fourth of the six children of Barbara J. Conklin and the late Larry L. Conklin. Conklin’s mother, sister and three of his four brothers are still Rutherford County residents.
Conklin is a 1990 graduate of Smyrna High School. He continued his education at Middle Tennessee State University, receiving a bachelor of science degree in political science. Conklin earned his law degree in 1997 from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.
Conklin worked part time in high school and full time while in college. While attending law school, Conklin held part-time jobs as a church musician, UPS truck washer and house painter.
“I have worked hard to support myself all of my life. These experiences have instilled in me a strong work ethic that has taught me the importance of dependability and maintaining integrity,” Conklin said.
Conklin lives between Smyrna and the Blackman community with his wife, Amanda and their three children. Amanda is an attorney practicing in Rutherford County, while Ethan and twins Ella and Eve are students in Rutherford County schools.
Conklin, his wife and family currently attend LifePoint Church where they have been actively serving members for 16 years. Conklin has served in a number of areas at LifePoint Church, including Secretary of the Board of Directors, Chairperson of the Business Process Committee, deacon, musician, adult small group leader and children’s ministry leader and coordinator.
A member of the Rutherford County Republican Party, Conklin also has been active in the community, serving as a cub scout leader, tee ball coach, adult recreational softball coach and supporter of the Smyrna Youth Football cheerleading and football programs.
