(Photo: Hacker Media)
Upon entering any of the four divisions of the 11th Judicial District Circuit Court in Hamilton County, you will find the courtroom walls adorned with portraits honoring judges who have served this court in years past. Notably absent are shades of brown or black faces and very few female faces. This lack of diversity is still evident in today’s court. Attorney Kisha Cheeks aims to change this by seeking to become the first African American Circuit Court Judge to serve the 11th Judicial District.
Attorney Kisha Cheeks is prepared, ready, and here to serve Hamilton County.
Kisha Cheeks brings over thirteen years of direct court experience and legal expertise to the ballot this August. She has represented thousands of Hamilton County residents and businesses in circuit court cases, including contract disputes, personal injury, divorce, and child custody agreements. Kisha believes her unique background makes her an ideal candidate, as over 50% of cases heard in circuit court involve family matters and domestic disputes; and family is where Kisha’s passion for the legal system began.
“Growing up in Chattanooga in the early 80’s, I watched my father stand in line for hours so my siblings and I could attend Hixson High School when city-wide zoning permit programs began, giving students greater access to educational opportunities beyond their geographical bounds. As I got older, I came to see the legal system as the perfect opportunity to give back to the community that gave so much to me as a child—by ensuring everyone had access to fair and just courts, without feeling intimidated or like their voices wouldn’t be heard.”
A proud native of Chattanooga, Kisha serves as the principal attorney at the Cheeks Rucker Firm, which she started in late 2017. She has handled a wide array of legal matters for individuals, families, and businesses. Her prior career background as a chemical and project engineer for Fortune 100 companies and her experience in running a successful family business have honed her skills in efficiency and project management that benefit her clients and their cases.
Kisha’s impressive academic journey began as a Wildcat, at Hixson High School, followed by earning a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical Engineering and Mathematics from Vanderbilt University. She then completed her Juris Doctorate at Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. She started her legal career at Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, where she represented clients in state and federal courts as a civil litigator and intellectual property attorney.
Beyond her legal practice, Kisha is deeply committed to community service. She actively participates in organizations like Community Helps Itself (CHI Markets), the Ivy Rose Foundation, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Links Inc. and the Fannie Mae Crumsey Foundation. These groups focus on providing scholarships, supporting youth and families in the community, and promoting mental health and wellness. She also mentors middle and high school girls through the Young Ladies Destined for Greatness program and serves as treasurer and volunteer for her daughter’s Girl Scouts troop.
Kisha’s dedication to service extends to her professional affiliations. She was recently selected for the 2024 Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law Program, a highly sought-after honor bestowed upon only thirty-six attorneys across the state of Tennessee every year. Kisha is an active member of the Tennessee Bar Association and the SL Hutchins Bar Association and has served in the Brock-Cooper Chapter of American Inns of Court and the Federal Bar Association.
Kisha enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two daughters, traveling, and recreational volleyball. As a lifelong member of the World’s Church of the Living God, she continues to be guided by her faith and dedication to making a positive impact in her community.
With her steadfast dedication to justice, community service, and legal excellence, Kisha is prepared to infuse our courts with a renewed sense of integrity. Her approach is anchored by Faith, Family, and Fairness, fueling her passion and purpose in all her endeavors. (Paid for by the Committee to Elect Kisha Cheeks)