Tillman Payne is a decorated Air Force veteran, accomplished attorney, small business owner and candidate for Davidson County Criminal Court, Division IV. He is widely recognized for his bold willingness to lead – repeatedly developing, advocating, and implementing innovative and groundbreaking solutions to some of our judicial system’s most challenging issues.
Payne kicked off his Tillman Payne for Judge campaign for office with a meet and greet event held by Team Tillman at the Nashville Farmer’s Market on Thursday, December 12, 2019. The event was well-attended with dozens of well-wishers and supporters in attendance. Tillman understands that the law has a real effect on the lives of all Nashvillians, and he believes that all who enter the courthouse doors deserve not only equal justice but compassion. All citizens should be afforded a chance for equal justice in our court system. Tillman has the knowledge and experience our court system desperately needs.
“As your Davidson County Criminal Court, Division IV Judge I will champion proven strategies within the judicial system that empower people to change their lives,” says Payne.
Tillman, a native of Smith County, Tennessee, son of educators (two proud Tennessee State University alumni), understands the values of hard work, personal responsibility, the value of education, treating everyone with respect, and helping others along the way. He has remembered these experiences and used these values his entire life – from serving in our nation’s armed forces, to raising his own family and starting a small business, to volunteering countless hours of leadership and service to the community.
Tillman received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and upon graduation, was commissioned an Officer in the United States Air Force and entered into active duty military service. As a detachment commander in Korea he was “twice” hand-selected to serve as an Executive Officer to Top Level General Officers once at the Pentagon in Washington DC and later at the Defense Logistics Agency. Tillman earned a Master’s Degree in Human Relations (MHR) from the University of Oklahoma, and his Juris Doctor’s degree from the Antonin Scalia School of Law at George Mason University, Arlington VA.
After twenty years of faithful service to the United States Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel Payne retired from active duty in 2003, and returned to Tennessee as an Assistant Public Defender with the 15th Judicial District Public Defender’s Office in Wilson County. In 2009, he left the Public Defender’s Office and entered private practice of law where he currently has offices in both Carthage and Nashville. Married to the former Kimberly Renee Boyd of Riverside, California, they have two sons, Chase and Tillman IV.
Early Voting begins Wednesday, February 12, 2020 and Election Day is Tuesday, March 3, 2020. A Tennessee or Federally-issued photo ID is required to vote. (The new REAL ID is not required yet.) Learn more about Tillman Payne’s law practice at: www.tillmanwpaynelaw.com and about his campaign for judge at: www.tillmanpayneforjudge.com.
