Attorney and Rule 31 Mediator
E. Shayne Sexton
E. Shayne Sexton brings decades of legal and judicial experience to Kherani Law Firm, with a particular focus on mediation and alternative dispute resolution. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has served as an attorney, Assistant District Attorney General, Criminal Court Judge, and mediator, giving him a comprehensive understanding of disputes, courtroom proceedings, and the legal process.
Having served as a judge for more than two decades, Shayne brings an exceptional level of experience, perspective, and credibility to the mediation process. His years on the bench have given him firsthand insight into how courts evaluate evidence, assess credibility, apply the law, and weigh the practical risks faced by parties at trial. He understands not only the legal issues that drive a case, but also the personal, financial, and strategic considerations that can make resolution difficult.
As a mediator, Shayne uses this experience to help parties and their attorneys evaluate their positions realistically, identify areas of common ground, and explore practical paths toward resolution. His calm and impartial approach allows each side to be heard while keeping discussions focused and productive. He is skilled at addressing complex issues, overcoming impasses, and helping participants assess the uncertainty, expense, and demands of continued litigation.
Shayne's combination of courtroom experience, judicial judgment, and practical problem-solving makes him particularly well suited to mediate challenging and high-stakes disputes. His goal is to provide a fair, respectful, and effective process that gives the parties a meaningful opportunity to resolve their differences without the additional cost, delay, and uncertainty of trial.
Outside of his legal and mediation work, Shayne is a nautical enthusiast, enjoys his family, active in fitness and loves golf.
Experience
Decades of Experience on Both Sides of the Bench
Years as both an attorney and a judge give Shayne a practical understanding of how disputes develop and what helps parties move toward resolution.
- 1985
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University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Bachelor of Science in Accounting. - 1988
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Began Practicing Law
Shayne earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee College of Law and began practicing law that year. - 1989
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Assistant District Attorney General
Appointed for Tennessee's Eighth Judicial District, where he gained extensive trial experience before juries and judges. - 1998
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Elected Criminal Court Judge
Shayne was elected Criminal Court Judge for the Eighth Judicial District. - 24 Years
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Judge
He presided over thousands of cases and managed one of the largest criminal trial dockets in Tennessee. - 2005
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Established a Recovery Court
A program in the Eighth Judicial District focused on treatment as an alternative for individuals entering the criminal justice system primarily because of addiction. - 2026
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Rule 31 Certified Mediator
Civil Mediation and Domestic Relations training through the Lipscomb University Institute for Conflict Management.
Mediation and Service
Mediation and Dispute Resolution
Rule 31 trained in 2026, after a judicial career of continuing education in dispute resolution — and service that continues today.
Rule 31 Civil Mediation
Training completed through Lipscomb University's Institute for Conflict Management in June 2026.
Rule 31 Domestic Relations
Training completed through Lipscomb University's Institute for Conflict Management in July 2026.
National Judicial College
Eleven courses across his judicial career, including Alternative Dispute Resolution, alongside coursework at the George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School Law and Economics Center.
Recovery Court and Service
Established a Recovery Court in the Eighth Judicial District in 2005, a treatment-focused alternative for people entering the system because of addiction. He serves on the State of Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council and as a hearing committee member for the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility.
Record
Legal and Judicial Experience
Private practice, prosecution, 24 years on the bench, and the mediation work he takes today.