Judge Gary Starnes
Hamilton County General Sessions Judge Gary W. Starnes has been elected president of the Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference (TGSJC) for 2018-2019.
The TGSJC is a statewide organization consisting of 185 general sessions court judges from across the State of Tennessee. Judge Starnes previously served four years on the TGSJC Executive Committee Board and as the vice-president for the Eastern Division of the TGSJC.
Judge Starnes was first elected as judge of the Hamilton County General Sessions Court, Division 5, in 2012 and re-elected in 2014. Judge Starnes is licensed to practice law and approved mediator and arbitrator in both Tennessee and Georgia. He is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association, Chattanooga Bar Association, Georgia Bar Association, American Bar Association, and American Judges Association. He was recently appointed as a board member of the Tennessee Private Probation Council. Judge Starnes has been previously involved with and supported several community organizations including the American Red Cross, Children's Advocacy Center, Shepherd Arms Rescue Mission, Chambliss Children's Home, and Harrison Ruitan Club.
Judge Starnes and his wife of 36 years, Carol Starnes, attend Stuart Heights Baptist Church. They have three adult children and five grandchildren.