Retired Judge Monte D. Watkins is an attorney at Neal & Harwell, PLC. He is an approved Rule 31 Listed Mediator by the Tennessee Supreme Court's Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission. Monte was previously appointed to the court by former Governor Phil Bredesen in 2003 where he served as judge for Division V of the Tennessee 20th Judicial District Criminal Court. Prior to his judicial appointment, Monte practiced law for 19 years as a sole practitioner with an emphasis on criminal defense, probate law and real estate. Monte received his J.D. from North Carolina Central University and earned his Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in Psychology from Tennessee State University.

During his career, Monte has been named a Life Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Past President and Life Member of the Napier-Looby Bar Association; Life Member of the National Bar Association; Life Member of the National Bar Institute; Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation; Fellow of the Nashville Bar Foundation; Fellow of the Napier-Looby Bar Foundation; a Master in the American Inn of Court; Life Member of the Tennessee State University Alumni Association; and Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.