---
title: "Jennifer Nichols | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jennifer-nichols-tn-circuit-court-judge-sumner"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Jennifer Nichols

Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 18 (Sumner) · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 18 (Sumner)
- 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

- Tennessee circuit court judge for the 18th Judicial District, appointed in 2024 to preside over civil, chancery, and criminal cases in Sumner County
- Sworn in on August 22, 2024 as the new circuit court judge for the 18th Judicial District, which covers Sumner County
- Deputy District Attorney and DCS Commissioner

### Education

- B.A. from the University of Alabama and a J.D. from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law

### Additional information

- Year Elected/Appointed: 2024
- Appointed by Governor Bill Lee on July 9, 2024 after being selected from three nominees by the Trial Court Vacancy Commission.
- The judgeship was created by the Tennessee General Assembly, and Nichols serves in a hybrid role handling criminal, civil, and chancery matters
- Known for being “tough but fair” and has received endorsements from Governor Lee, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Holly Kirby, and multiple law enforcement and legal organizations.

## 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/judges/jennifer-s-nichols)
- [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/jennifer-s-nichols)
- [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/jennifer-s-nichols)
- [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)
- [Jennifer Nichols](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/jennifer-s-nichols)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-c1debbfd57a23e78c6318aec) — 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](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines). Collected 2026-07-26.