Mike Pemberton at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Tennessee · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Mike Pemberton
Circuit Court Judge · Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 9 (Loudon, Meigs, Morgan, Roane)
Judicial assignments
- Tennessee 9th 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 to his election, he worked in private legal practice for 24 years starting in 1990 and held the role of an assistant district attorney general for the Ninth Judicial District — 1984–1990
- Judge Pemberton has implemented innovative approaches to court proceedings
Education
- Bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Tech University and a J.D. from Mercer University School of Law
Additional information
- Pemberton was elected to the bench in 2014, defeating Tom McFarland with 50.6% of the vote, and began serving on September 1, 2014
- Seasoned legal professional with decades of experience in both prosecution and private practice
- For example, during periods when courthouse access was limited, he conducted certain hearings—such as agreed adoptions, divorces, and workers’ compensation settlements—in a “parking lot court” outside his office in Kingston to ensure cases could proceed safely while accommodating individuals without internet access
- As a Circuit Court Judge, he oversees a broad range of civil and criminal cases in Tennessee’s Ninth Judicial District and has shown adaptability in court administration to meet the needs of his community
- Judge Michael Pemberton presides over the Ninth Judicial District Circuit Court in Tennessee, which includes Roane, Loudon, Morgan, and Meigs 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 9 (Loudon, Meigs, Morgan, Roane)
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 ↗