Joe DeGaetano to Run for General Sessions Court Judge

March 21, 2012 - PRLog -- Joe DeGaetano has announced his candidacy for the position of Hamilton County General Sessions Judge formerly held by the late Judge Bob Moon.  The Hamilton County Commission recently filled the position on an interim basis, until the general election to be held on August 2nd.  Early voting is July 13-28.

Mr. DeGaetano chose not to apply for that interim appointment, and says he looks forward to earning the support of the voters of Hamilton County.

“I want to serve the people of Hamilton County as General Sessions Judge because I have the energy, patience, and knowledge of the law necessary to render fair, unbiased, and accurate decisions in the very busy environment of General Sessions Court,” said Mr. DeGaetano.

Raised in Hixson, DeGaetano attended school from kindergarten through high school in Chattanooga, and now makes his home in North Chattanooga with his wife of ten years and their daughter, who attends kindergarten at their neighborhood public school.  His law office is at the entrance to Coolidge Park, in a century-old building that he preserved and renovated last year.  That building houses several small businesses, including a retail shop that has operated in the same space for over 65 years.    

Mr. DeGaetano’s legal experience is diverse.  Twelve years ago he was appointed by a Senior Judge on the United States Court of Appeals to advise and consult on cases ranging from money laundering to murder.  Following that term of service, he worked for one of the largest law firms in Tennessee, on a wide variety of civil cases on behalf of individuals and businesses of all sizes.  His practice has taken him to courts all over Tennessee, from General Sessions Courts to the Supreme Court.  Three years ago he opened his own law firm, where he continues to represent people and companies in civil cases, and where he also is appointed by federal judges to represent criminal defendants who are unable to afford a lawyer.  His experience with criminal law is not limited to defense—his first taste of the courtroom consisted of prosecuting dozens of misdemeanor cases for the State of Georgia, under a special law that allows students in their final year of law school to represent the State in criminal trials.  

Mr. DeGaetano graduated second in his class at the University of Georgia School of Law, after obtaining an economics degree, magna cum laude, from Vanderbilt University.  

He is Chair of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Tort & Insurance Practice Section Executive Council, a volunteer Arbitrator for the Chattanooga Bar Association’s fee dispute resolution service, and a volunteer attorney for Legal Aid of East Tennessee, which provides free legal services to people who cannot afford a lawyer.  He has been a frequent lecturer to other lawyers across the state on the topic of civil liability for irresponsible alcohol service.  

Mr. DeGaetano states that if elected, he will work as hard as he can toward his goal of “making Hamilton County a better and safer place, while following the laws as written, without favor or preference.”  

More information about his campaign is available at www.JoeForSessionsJudge.com and www.facebook.com/VoteJoeD.