Committee recommends five nominees for General Sessions Court Division 6 to full council
November 05, 2025 | Rules, Confirmations & Public Elections Meetings, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee
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The Rules, Confirmations & Public Elections Committee on Nov. 4 recommended five nominees as qualified to fill a vacancy in General Sessions Court Division 6 and forwarded the recommendations to the full Metropolitan Council for an election on Nov. 18, 2025.
The committee heard each nominee describe relevant experience and respond to council members’ questions about courtroom administration, constitutional protections, recidivism and equity. Michael Robinson said he has served three years as a night court magistrate and nine years in private practice, arguing that experience makes him “ready to serve day 1.” He told the committee he would consider creating an indigency docket to help low-income defendants address fines, fees and license reinstatements and reduce repeated arrests for inability to pay.
Mark Andrew Cole outlined a career that includes criminal defense, workers’ compensation hearings and state employment work; he acknowledged two earlier informal client complaints and described pro bono assistance he has given to low-income clients. Jody Bell emphasized 27 years practicing in Davidson County and her work on the IDEA pilot project to improve indigent defense training; she described administering court proceedings in a trauma-informed manner and tailoring conditions of release to help defendants succeed. Leroy Ellis described a city-rooted approach stressing timely resolution and certainty of sanctions to deter repeated offending and advocated not “setting people up to fail.” David Jones, a Nashville native and former prosecutor, highlighted experience in general sessions, use of community resources and efforts to divert people from repeated court involvement.
In separate qualification votes the committee recommended all five nominees. The committee recorded its recommendations by voice vote or tally: Michael Robinson (7–0–0), Mark Cole (6–0–0; one member had been absent for that roll call), Jody Bell (unanimous among members present), Leroy Ellis (approved) and David Jones (7–0–0). Those recommendations will be considered at the Metropolitan Council meeting on Nov. 18, 2025, where the council will elect a judge to fill the vacancy.
The committee’s action was limited to determining whether each nominee met the committee’s standards of qualification; the full council will make the final selection at the stated election.
The committee heard each nominee describe relevant experience and respond to council members’ questions about courtroom administration, constitutional protections, recidivism and equity. Michael Robinson said he has served three years as a night court magistrate and nine years in private practice, arguing that experience makes him “ready to serve day 1.” He told the committee he would consider creating an indigency docket to help low-income defendants address fines, fees and license reinstatements and reduce repeated arrests for inability to pay.
Mark Andrew Cole outlined a career that includes criminal defense, workers’ compensation hearings and state employment work; he acknowledged two earlier informal client complaints and described pro bono assistance he has given to low-income clients. Jody Bell emphasized 27 years practicing in Davidson County and her work on the IDEA pilot project to improve indigent defense training; she described administering court proceedings in a trauma-informed manner and tailoring conditions of release to help defendants succeed. Leroy Ellis described a city-rooted approach stressing timely resolution and certainty of sanctions to deter repeated offending and advocated not “setting people up to fail.” David Jones, a Nashville native and former prosecutor, highlighted experience in general sessions, use of community resources and efforts to divert people from repeated court involvement.
In separate qualification votes the committee recommended all five nominees. The committee recorded its recommendations by voice vote or tally: Michael Robinson (7–0–0), Mark Cole (6–0–0; one member had been absent for that roll call), Jody Bell (unanimous among members present), Leroy Ellis (approved) and David Jones (7–0–0). Those recommendations will be considered at the Metropolitan Council meeting on Nov. 18, 2025, where the council will elect a judge to fill the vacancy.
The committee’s action was limited to determining whether each nominee met the committee’s standards of qualification; the full council will make the final selection at the stated election.
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