--- title: "Jeff D. Rader | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeff-d-rader-tn-circuit-court-judge-cocke-grainger-jefferson-sevier" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Jeff D. Rader Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 4 (Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, Sevier) · Circuit Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 4 (Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, Sevier) - State: Tennessee - Role: Circuit Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Prior to this appointment, Rader has held the role of a general sessions and juvenile court judge in Sevier County since 1998, being re-elected in 2006, 2014, and 2022. - Jeff Rader was selected as Special Judge in the Fourth Judicial District by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, covering Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier Counties, following Judge Rex Ogle’s decision to take disability status effective June 3, 2024 - Before entering the judiciary, he served as an auditor for the Hospital Corporation of America in Dallas, Texas, and later practiced law as a partner at Ogle, Wynn & Rader from 1991 to 1998 - His decades of experience as both a judge and litigator were highlighted by Governor Lee as making him an exceptional choice for the Circuit Court ### Education - University of Tennessee College of Law and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin in — J.D. (1985) ### Additional information - Year Elected/Appointed: 2024 - Beyond his judicial duties, Rader has founded and led several initiatives, including the Sevier County Safe Baby Court and the Sevier County Workforce Probation and Recovery Court. - He has been active in professional organizations such as the Tennessee Bar Association, the Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference, and the National Conference of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### media coverage and recording Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### recording restrictions Scope: statewide Tennessee Rule 30 prohibits media coverage of jury selection, jurors, closed proceedings, and certain minor or juvenile-court participants. Evidence excerpt: Media coverage of jury selection is prohibited. [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote technology Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-55-use-technology-court-proceedings) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/jeff-d-rader) - [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/jeff-d-rader) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/jeff-d-rader) - [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines) - [Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-55-use-technology-court-proceedings) - [Jeff D. Rader](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/jeff-d-rader) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeff-d-rader-tn-circuit-court-judge-cocke-grainger-jefferson-sevier", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeff-d-rader-tn-circuit-court-judge-cocke-grainger-jefferson-sevier", "name": "Jeff D. Rader | KnowJudges", "description": "Jeff D. Rader, Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 4 (Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, Sevier). 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