Church Hill BMA names Chris Raines III new municipal judge

The Church Hill Board of Mayor and Alderman voted Tuesday to appoint Chris Raines III to replace Judge Amy Skelton as the town’s new Municipal Court Judge.

Raines is a Hawkins native who has practiced law for 12 years in East Tennessee with the Blankenship Law Office of Kingsport.

Skelton, who was appointed Hawkins County Juvenile Judge last September, is leaving her municipal judge positions in Church Hill, Rogersville and Surgoinsville to focus on the full time judgeship.

Mayor Dennis Deal said that he had reached out to Raines III about the opening following the news of Skelton’s intended departure and recommended the board approve him.

“I have deep roots in Hawkins County, and I’d like to transition and use my skills in a different manner,” Raines III told the BMA prior to its vote. “I’d be glad to help (Church Hill) if I can.”

‘I’ve handled all different types’

Raines III is a Church Hill native. He is the son of Church Hill City Attorney Chris Raines and grandson of former Surgoinsville Elementary Principal, Chris Raines, Sr.

He graduated from Eastern Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Following graduation, he studied Law at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Mich.

He is a member of both the Kingsport and Tennessee Bar Associations and is licensed in all state courts and the Federal Court of the Eastern District of Tennessee.

“I’ve been an attorney for 12 years and practiced with an attorney that was practicing for almost 50 years,” Raines III told the BMA “I’ve argued with the Court of Appeals and other courts.”

“I’ve handled all different types of matters of law.”

‘Welcome aboard, sir’

After Alderman Keith Gibson’s motion and Alderman Buck Tipton’s second, the board approved Raines with a 7-0 vote.

Raines III will begin attending Municipal Court sessions until he takes over the position permanently next month.

He said that he is excited to move his career to this position to better serve the county where he grew up.

Following the board’s vote, Mayor Deal told Raines III, “Welcome aboard, sir. Thank you.”

“I’m excited,” Raines III said. “Most of my family is from Hawkins County, so it’s really more of an opportunity for me to serve than anything else.”

New tax attorney

In other business, the BMA also voted unanimously to approve Kevin Keeton as the city’s Tax Attorney.

Keeton was sworn in as Hawkins County’s Tax Attorney after long-time attorney, Jim Point stepped down from the position due to health concerns.

Keeton’s role will include collecting delinquent city taxes, which he will be paid a fee for each amount collected.

“It doesn’t cost us or the taxpayers anything,” City Attorney Chris Raines told the BMA.