Forest A. Durard Jr. at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Tennessee · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Forest A. Durard Jr.
Circuit Court Judge · Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 17 (Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall, Moore)
Judicial assignments
- Tennessee 17th Judicial DistrictCircuit Court Judge
Reported in the official 2025–2026 Tennessee Blue Book. Later appointments or departures may not yet appear in this edition.
Source checked October 15, 2026. Roster source
These published assignments do not certify a complete bench.
Biography
Professional career
- Prior Experience: Before his judicial appointment, Durard practiced law for over two decades, including managing his own practice since 2004.
- Appointment: Judge Durard joined the 17th Judicial District Circuit Court by former Governor Bill Haslam on June 11, 2013, to fill the vacancy left by Judge Robert G. Crigler's retirement
- 1992-2004 - Bramlett & Durard, Partner, Private Firm
- 1990-1992 - 17th Judicial District, Public Defender’s Office
- 1989-1990 - 17th Judicial District, District Attorney’s Office
- Public Service: He has also held the role of a prosecutor and public defender in the 17th Judicial District, providing him with a well-rounded perspective on the legal system
Education
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the Nashville School of Law in 1989
- Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Middle Tennessee State University in 1985
- MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY Undergraduate 1985
Additional information
- Subsequently elected to a full term on August 7, 2014
- Year Elected/Appointed: 2013
- 2004-2013 - Solo practitioner, The Law Office of Forest A. Durard, Jr.
- His legal experience encompasses various areas such as criminal law, domestic matters, probate, personal injury, workers’ compensation, bankruptcy, and real estate
- As a circuit court judge, Durard oversees cases in the 17th Judicial District, which includes Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall, and Moore Counties.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 30 allows media coverage of public judicial proceedings subject to the presiding judge's control and requires written media requests at least two business days before the proceeding unless waived.
Requests by representatives of the media for such coverage must be made in writing to the presiding judge not less than two (2) business days before the proceeding is scheduled to begin.Rule 30: Media Guidelines ↗
Statewide
Tennessee Rule 30 prohibits media coverage of jury selection, jurors, closed proceedings, and certain minor or juvenile-court participants.
Media coverage of jury selection is prohibited.Rule 30: Media Guidelines ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 55 permits teleconferencing, video conferencing, or other technology for court proceedings at the discretion of the trial or appellate court.
The use of teleconferencing, video conferencing or other technology to conduct court proceedings or other court business remotely is permissible at the discretion of the trial or appellate court.Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Rule 30: Media Guidelines
Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 17 (Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall, Moore)
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster ↗Rule 30: Media Guidelines
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Rule 30: Media Guidelines ↗Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings ↗