William L. Monk at a glance
- Current role
- General Sessions Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Tennessee · State
- Judicial service
- Active
William L. Monk
General Sessions Court Judge · Tennessee General Sessions Court, Washington County
Biography
Professional career
- Judge Will Monk was appointed by the Washington County Commission in 2025 to replace Judge Robert Lincoln, who stepped down after serving since 1998.
- Monk emphasizes that the role of a judge is a serious responsibility, not a steppingstone to higher office
- His prosecutorial work emphasized pursuing justice rather than simply seeking the harshest penalties, preparing him for his judicial responsibilities
Education
- Juris Doctor and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from King University in Bristol, Tennessee.
Additional information
- Year Elected/Appointed: 2025
- His extensive prosecutorial background, combined with his educational credentials and focus on mental health and juvenile cases, positions him as a respected figure in the local judiciary
- Before his appointment, Monk held the role of an Assistant District Attorney for the First Judicial District of Tennessee, where he prosecuted over 10,000 criminal cases and gained extensive experience in juvenile matters, child support enforcement, and mental health-related cases.
- His educational background supports both his legal expertise and administrative capabilities in court management
- He prioritizes fairness, preparation, and consistency, aiming to deliver outcomes that are lawful, thoughtful, and in the best interest of the community.
- He presides over Mental Health Court, assisting individuals with mental disorders and substance abuse issues, which helps reduce crime, incarceration rates, and taxpayer costs.
- He also volunteers for rehabilitative courts and supports second-chance opportunities for those willing to change their lives
- He also values family time, especially with his daughter, and engages in local community activities
- Outside the courtroom, Judge Monk enjoys outdoor activities, particularly trout and bass fishing in Northeast Tennessee, and occasionally fly-fishing in Wyoming.
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 General Sessions Court, Washington County
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 ↗