Murfreesboro attorney Jo Atwood has announced her candidacy for election to the Circuit Court Judge position for the 16th Judicial District Part IV.
A 33-year veteran of the legal profession, Jo has been well known in the legal community for her integrity, fairness, and common-sense legal advice and counsel. She has been a leader and pioneer in Rutherford and Cannon Counties, both in building her law practice serving the civil legal needs of families and small businesses, as well as leading by example as a pioneer for female attorneys in Middle Tennessee. If elected, Jo would be the first female Circuit Court Judge in the 16th Judicial District, representing Rutherford and Cannon Counties.
Jo’s Tennessee roots and work ethic run deep, having been born and raised on a farm in middle Tennessee. She knows the value of hard work – she grew up milking cows, shearing sheep, showing cattle, commercial egg producing and processing – and has applied that work ethic in serving her clients while building her law practice – and would apply that same work ethic to serving as a Circuit Court Judge.
Throughout her life, Jo has been a compassionate and open-minded leader in the Rutherford and Cannon County communities. She has served as a Board member for the Chamber of Commerce and the YMCA and as the Chairman of United Way and Main Street. Jo is active in her church, especially the Amazing Grace class at North Boulevard Church of Christ. She has had a passion for serving as a role model for young women in the workplace and has been a regular speaker at conferences and events in middle Tennessee and beyond.
Jo is married to Mike Tobitt. Mike played baseball at MTSU under Coach Stanford and currently teaches and coaches at Siegel Middle School. Jo has one son, Wesley Tobitt, who lives in Tampa, Florida and has followed in his father’s footsteps as a teacher and baseball coach. Wesley is married to Allyssa, is Chief Operating Officer at a Sarasota Hospital.