title
A resolution recognizing the retirement of Davidson County Division Seven Circuit Court Judge David Randall “Randy” Kennedy.
body
WHEREAS, the Honorable David Randall “Randy” Kennedy is the Seventh Circuit Court Judge for Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee, having been appointed by Governor Philip Bredesen in 2003, and re-elected in 2004, 2006, and 2014. Judge Kennedy completed 18 years of dedicated service as Probate Judge for the citizens of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, Judge Randy Kennedy is a Nashville native who graduated from Donelson High School where he was a member of the 1965 Clinic Bowl Championship football team. He lettered in track and became an Eagle Scout, was the sports editor of his school paper and yearbook, and worked as a copy boy for the Nashville Banner; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Middle Tennessee State University, he worked for Aetna Casualty and Surety Company, and began attending the Nashville Y.M.C.A. Night Law School (now the Nashville School of Law). After serving as branch manager for Nashville City Bank for over four years, Randy Kennedy became a lawyer and joined the firm of Lancaster & Farmer; and
WHEREAS, in 1989, Randy Kennedy was elected to the Metropolitan Council where he represented portions of the Donelson, Hermitage, and airport area of Nashville for the next six years. During his time on the Metropolitan Council, he served as Chairman of the Public Works, Airport Noise Mitigation, and Rules & Confirmations Committees, and served as a member of the Public Safety Committee; and
WHEREAS, Randy Kennedy co-sponsored ordinances resulting in the creation of an Environmental Court, the merger of Metro General Hospital with Meharry Medical College, as well as ordinances that brought about curbside and drop-off site recycling. Randy Kennedy also served as Nashville’s representative on the Transportation Committee of the National League of Cities and introduced the pilot project ordinance that led to the commuter train now known as the Music City Star (the only commuter rail service in Middle Tennessee); and
WHEREAS, Judge Randy Kennedy has Circuit, Chancery, Criminal, and Probate jurisdiction, has heard probate and estate administration cases as well as conservatorship and guardianship cases for Davidson County, Tennessee, hearing an average of over 2,000 cases per year and, according to the Annual Report of the Judiciary, has presided over thousands of conservatorship cases during the last 10 years; and
WHEREAS, Judge Randy Kennedy served as Presiding Judge of the 20th Judicial District from 2005-2007, served as Presiding Judge Pro Tem for the Trial Courts of Nashville since 2017, and served as Reassignment Judge from 2005 to 2022; and
WHEREAS, Judge Randy Kennedy identified the need for a “Volunteer Task Force” to compare local processes with models from other jurisdictions to identify needs and make specific recommendations for the review and care provided by guardians and conservators. Upon the recommendations of the Task Force and former Metropolitan Mayor Karl Dean, the Office of Conservatorship Management was created; and
WHEREAS, Judge Randy Kennedy engaged in the practice of law for 26 years before becoming the Probate Judge for Nashville. He is a member of the Nashville Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, Tennessee Trial Judges Association, National College of Probate Judges, and the Nashville Bar Foundation. Judge Kennedy also formerly served as Vice President of the Tennessee Trial Judges Association, and as First Vice-President of the Nashville Bar Association; and
WHEREAS, Judge Randy Kennedy was a former instructor at the Nashville School of Law where he taught Wills and Estates for 10 years; and
WHEREAS, Judge Randy Kennedy is married to Deborah Ann Lammers Kennedy, and they are the parents of two children (David Jr. and Shelley Suzanne), and grandparents to Camille, Evie and Sam Kennedy; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council extends to the Honorable David Randall “Randy” Kennedy, our sincere and grateful appreciation for his dedicated service to the citizens of Nashville and Tennessee, our congratulations on a well-deserved retirement, and our best wishes to him and his family for continued success, happiness, and good health in the years to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as honoring Judge David Randall Kennedy upon the occasion of his retirement as Davidson County Division 7 Circuit Court Judge.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.