BACKGROUND CHECK
Commissioner James Haltom | Bart Pickett
If anyone has had an eventful and positive year, it has been Commissioner James Haltom. In the last year, he turned 40, had his first child, and took the bench as a trial judge on the Tennessee Claims Commission. James grew up in Rockingham, North Carolina, the oldest of five kids. He attended University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where he studied political science. When 9/11 happened at the start of his junior year, it forever changed his trajectory. He immediately enrolled in ROTC and simultaneously enlisted in the Army National Guard. Out of college, James first moved to rural Mississippi as part of the Teach for America program. He taught second grade—which he describes as the hardest job he has ever had—and coached high school football. While in his first year of teaching, the Iraq War started, and his National Guard unit was put on alert and then deployed. James spent the next two and half years on active duty, either training or in combat. He commanded a 20-soldier unit and spent almost every calendar day of 2005 in Iraq. In August 2006, he completed his active military duty service. Eleven days after coming off active duty, James enrolled at Ole Miss
Law School. While there, he served on the moot court board, law review, and as the student body president. Going to law school after fighting in war made him appreciative; he treated law school like a job. While in law school, he also commanded two units in the National Guard—one an hour away and the other two hours away. However, his biggest accomplishment by far at Ole Miss was landing his wife, Claire. He graduated from Ole Miss in 2009. Claire went to high school and college in Nashville, so James found himself following her to Music City. He clerked for Burr Forman during law school, which led to a job where he practiced for five years in a commercial litigation practice with an emphasis on creditors’ rights and business litigation. When Nelson Mullins established their Nashville office, they tapped James to help expand its litigation practice. He became a partner at the firm and remained there for another five years before his current judicial position became open. Most claims against the State of Tennessee are heard by judges known as claims commissioners in each of the three grand divisions of the state. When the Middle Tennessee seat opened in 2019, James applied and was ultimately appointed by the governor in August of that year to serve an 8-year term. He serves as the sole judge for the 42 counties in Middle Tennessee for lawsuits against the state. James’ courtroom is housed in the Polk Building above TPAC. In his brief tenure, he has already had a dozen multi-day trials. Thus far, he has really enjoyed his new role. He now spends a lot of his time reviewing law and distinguishing facts rather than advocating
as he previously did. Aside from taking the bench about six months before the pandemic, James and Clair added James “Houston” Haltom to their household back in March. Claire works as an equity partner at Baker Donelson, and they live in the Hillsboro/West End neighborhood. James is about to start his 20th year of reserve military service in the Army National Guard. His current rank is Lieutenant Colonel, and he is the executive officer of the 30th Troop Command which has about 1,500 soldiers. In addition to his busy professional life, James remains active in his hobbies. He considers himself a serious runner and cyclist. He is also a licensed pilot. During private practice, he would fly to hearings and meetings about three times a month. Now he does not have as much of a need to fly, although he recently flew his wife and son to have dinner with the family in North Carolina. As Nashville grows, James has been grateful that the collegiality he has experienced within the bar has continued. He is thankful for the friendships he has made through the NBA, which have been so important to his career, and encourages every “casual” member to take on an active role. n BART PICKETT is an attorney at the Law Offices of Julie Bhattacharya Peak where he represents Liberty Mutual Group, Inc.’s insureds and customers of its affiliated groups in litigation throughout Middle Tennessee. Prior to practicing, Pickett worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Judge Thomas W. Brothers of the Sixth Circuit Court of Davidson County and the Honorable Joseph P. Binkley, Jr. of the Fifth Circuit Court of Davidson County.
DEC/JAN 2020-21 | NASHVILLE BAR JOURNAL
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