Hon. Hamilton Gayden

Judge Hamilton Gayden has been a Trial Judge for more than 40 years in Davidson County, Nashville, Tennessee. Judge Gayden was a General Sessions Judge from 1974-1978, but in 1978 he was elected to the First Circuit Court. He was in private practice nine years before becoming Judge. With his many years of service, Judge Gayden presided over a variety of legal issues ranging from both domestic and civil matters, allowing him to prepare for his current role as a domestic and civil mediator, with a focus on: Divorce Family Law Contract disputes Partnership Disputes Employment Workplace Real Estate Landlord / Tenant disputes HOA Personal Injury matters Medical Malpractice Legal Malpractice Judge Gayden is a member of Nashville Bar Association and he is a Nashville Bar Fellow. He has been active on several civic boards and charities including the Boy Scouts of America, the YMCA, and Sister Cities of Nashville. He was president of the Vanderbilt University Club, and is a member of the Econ Club of Nashville. He has presided over several high profile cases in Tennessee, including the longest, successful receivership in state history; the ten-year receivership resulted in the preservation of the largest historical cemetery in the state, Mt. Olivet. Some of the high profile cases include the constitutional challenges to the State of Tennessee Capital Punishment Law, the Tennessee Abortion statutes, the “Open Meetings Act” and a leading case on the limits of punitive damages. Education Vanderbilt University Law School, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 1964 Licenses & Certifications General Mediation; international Mediation Activities Nashville Bar Association; Nashville Bar Fellows; Sigma Chi Fraternity Alumni Chapter Member, Rebounders Club, former Vandy Basketball Players; Member, Econ Club of Nashville; Past president, University Club of Nashville