By Bill Grubb
News Editor

NASHVILLE - Judge Kindall T. Lawson, Circuit Court Judge in the Third Judicial District, has announced his retirement effective June 1, 2013.
    Judge Lawson has been on the bench since 1996. In addition to his time as a Circuit Court judge, he served as Hawkins County General Sessions Judge from 1974-1993.  The Third Judicial District serves Greene, Hamblen, Hancock and Hawkins counties.
    His term as an elected judge was set to expire in August 2014.
    The Judicial Nominating Commission announced February 22 it is accepting applications for the Circuit Court vacancy created by Lawson’s retirement.
    Interested applicants should note that the Commission is also currently accepting applications for a Chancery Court vacancy in the same judicial district. Candidates wishing to apply for both Circuit Court and Chancery Court vacancies, may submit one application for both, but should specify both vacancies on the form and answer questions accordingly.
    Interested applicants must be an attorney who is at least 30 years of age, a resident of the state for five years, a resident of their circuit or district for one year, and must reside in the third Judicial District. Applicants must complete the designated application, which is available at here and submit it to the Administrative Office of the Courts by Monday, March 11 at 12 p.m. CST.
    The Judicial Nominating Commission will set a date to interview all qualified applicants. The meeting will also include a public hearing where members of the public may express their opinions about the applicants. The interview, public hearing and deliberation process will be open to the public.