Josh Peterson

On Friday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced key appointments to the Board of
Parole and judicial positions across the state – including appointment of Will Lockhart to an open judge position in Coffee County.

“It’s an honor to announce the appointment of eight qualified Tennesseans who will each bring valuable
experience to their respective roles,” said Gov. Lee. “I am grateful for their commitment to our state and
confident they will serve with integrity.”

The following individuals have been appointed:
Judicial Appointments
• Robert Bateman – 19th Judicial District Circuit Court
• Sean Day – 29th Judicial District Public Defender
• Adrienne Fry – 19th Judicial District Circuit Court
• Will Lockhart – 14th Judicial District Circuit Court
• Steve Maroney – 26th Judicial District Chancery Court
Board of Parole Reappointments
• Zane Duncan
• Tim Gobble
• Roberta Kustoff

Will Lockhart is an attorney at Burch and Lockhart in Manchester. He earned his J.D. at the University of
Tennessee College of Law and his bachelor’s degree at Middle Tennessee State University. Lockhart will fill
the Honorable L. Craig Johnson’s vacancy, effective immediately.

“I am beyond humbled by the appointment,” said Lockhart. “I have to first and foremost thank my wife Hayley and the rest of my family for being so supportive throughout this process. Thank you to Governor Lee for putting your trust in me and giving me this opportunity. I am so excited to begin serving the people of Coffee County. This is a special place and I will work tirelessly to be the best judge that I can be. I continue to ask for your prayers and support in this new endeavor.”

Robert Bateman is an attorney at Bateman and Bateman in Clarksville. He earned his J.D. at Vanderbilt
University School of Law and his bachelor’s degree at Austin Peay State University. Bateman will fill the
Honorable Jill Ayers’ vacancy, effective immediately.

Sean Day is an Assistant District Public Defender for the 29th Judicial District. He earned his J.D. at the
University of Memphis Humphreys School of Law and his bachelor’s degree at the University of Memphis. Day will begin serving September 1, following Public Defender James Lanier’s retirement.

Adrienne Fry is an attorney at Fry and Ritchie in Clarksville. She earned her J.D. at the University of
Tennessee College of Law and her bachelor’s degree at East Tennessee State University. Fry will fill the
Honorable Ross. H. Hicks’ vacancy, effective immediately.

Steve Maroney is an attorney at Teel and Maroney in Jackson. He earned his J.D. at the University of
Memphis Humphreys School of Law and his bachelor’s degree at Union University. Maroney will fill Chancellor James Butler’s vacancy, effective immediately.

Zane Duncan served prior in public affairs roles and as an appraiser for the Knox County Property Assessor.

He earned his bachelor’s degree at Lincoln Memorial University. Duncan’s reappointment is effective through December 2027.

Tim Gobble formerly held positions in the Secret Service, law enforcement and emergency management, most recently serving as Interim Deputy Chief of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Lipscomb University. Gobble’s reappointment is effective through December 2027.

Roberta Kustoff served prior as an attorney in the Shelby County Trustee’s Office, where she represented
county government in chancery, circuit and general sessions courts. She earned her J.D. at the University of
Memphis and her bachelor’s degree at Bellarmine University. Kustoff’s reappointment is effective through
December 2027.