Mike Dumitru Announces Campaign for Division II Circuit Court Judge

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (August 5, 2021) – Local attorney Mike Dumitru officially announced today
his campaign to be the next Division II Circuit Court Judge in Hamilton County. He will seek the
Republican Party nomination on May 3, 2022, to replace Circuit Court Judge Jeff
Hollingsworth, who recently announced his retirement after honorably serving Hamilton County
for nearly 16 years.
“After years of thoughtful deliberation and prayer, I am truly excited to announce my candidacy
for Division II Circuit Court Judge in the 11th Judicial District,” said Mike Dumitru. “As a first-
generation American, I understand firsthand the importance of a strong judiciary — one of the
cornerstones of our democratic republic — that strives to properly apply the law for the benefit
of the community.”
Dumitru continued, “I believe judge’s role is to apply the laws set out by our elected
representatives and not legislate new laws from the bench. If elected, I will strive to make fair
and firm decisions based on the rule of law and work hard to ensure litigants and their counsel
have their claims heard and resolved in the most efficient, sensible manner possible.”
Since announcing his intentions to run for Circuit Court Judge, Mike has received broad
support from business and civic leaders across Hamilton County, including, but not limited to,
Donnie Hutcherson, who is serving as campaign Treasurer, and John Germ, who is co-
chairing the Finance Committee. Mike has also enjoyed broad support from his colleagues and
peers in the legal community, including retired Circuit Court Judge William L. Brown.
“Having previously served as a Circuit Court Judge for several years, I know full well the
commitment, character, and experience needed to serve in that position,” said retired Circuit
Court Judge William L. Brown. “Mike has shown me time and time again during his legal
career that he has the heart of a servant, the mind of a legal scholar, and the right
temperament in the courtroom. There is no doubt in my mind that Mike is the right candidate for this job,
and he has my full support and endorsement for who should carry on the legacy of Judge Hollingsworth.”
Mike is a partner at Miller & Martin, where he has spent the vast majority of his career litigating
in the state and federal courts of Hamilton County. He received his undergraduate degree with
honors from Fordham University, his Master’s degree in Global Studies from New York
University, and his law degree from the Vanderbilt University School of Law. In 2019, Mike was
recognized by his peers as a Mid-South Rising Star Attorney.
In addition to serving his clients, Mike has remained engaged and connected with his
community, both inside and outside the legal profession. His participation in and graduation
from both the Tennessee Bar Association’s Leadership Law program and the Chamber of
Commerce’s Leadership Chattanooga Program further cultivated his deep desire for public
service.
He has also served for years as a board member of the Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal
Bar Association and is an active member of the Chattanooga Bar Association and Tennessee
Bar Association. In 2019, Mike was appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court to serve as a
Bar Examiner, assisting with the important task of grading hundreds of bar exams every year.
And Mike has served on several boards of civic and community organizations, including the
Rotary Club of Chattanooga, the Young Professionals Association of Chattanooga, the
Chambliss Center for Children, and St. Peter’s Episcopal School.
But above all else, Mike is dedicated to his family, to whom he credits all of his success and
without which he could never have envisioned embarking on this journey. Mike lives in Hixson
with his wife, Jessica “Raz” Mines Dumitru, a Chattanooga native, attorney, and operator of
her family-owned business on Frazier Avenue, Art Creations. They have two children with
whom Mike spends every free moment of his time, whether as a baseball coach, gymnastics
cheerleader, or chauffeur to any of the number of landmarks that drew him to Chattanooga.
To learn more about the campaign, please visit mikeforjudge.com and follow the
campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MikeforJudge2022.