Judge Leon Ruben Award
Judge A. Ben Strand, Jr., received the Judge Leon Ruben Award recently for outstanding integrity, love of the law, and desire to seek justice. (Staff photo – Steve Marion)
Strand honored with award from state’s judges
When both parties leave the courtroom happy, Judge Ben Strand is usually convinced he has made a good decision.
But when both leave mad, he quipped, chances are even better that he made a “great decision.”
You can’t be involved in the legal profession for over 50 years without learning a thing or two about human nature — and yourself.
“I treat every litigant who comes into my courtroom as if I were that person,” said Strand. “I honor their rights as my own.”
Last month, Strand received the inaugural Judge Leon Ruben Award from the Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference. The award is given to judges who display Ruben’s outstanding integrity, love of the law, and desire to seek justice. Strand is a co-recipient of the honor with Judge Thomas L. Moore, Jr., of Weakley County.
In presenting the award September 18 in Gatlinburg, Judge Dwight E. Stokes, president of the Judges Conference, called the work of Strand and Moore “inspiring.”
“I was humbled,” Strand said of learning that he was to receive the award. “Judge Leon Ruben of Davidson County dedicated 24 years of his life to the Judges Conference, so to be chosen by your peers for an award with his name on it is huge honor to me. I’ll never forget it.”
“Judge Moore and Judge Strand have simply been wonderful representatives and ambassadors of the General Sessions Judges Conference in their respective communities and to the entire state of Tennessee,” said Judge Stokes, of Sevier County. “I am certain that Judge Ruben would be extremely proud of having these outstanding judges, both of which he knew well, as the first winners of the award named in his honor.”
Elected in 1998, Strand recently announced last week that he will not seek a new term in the next election. He is retiring to spend more time with his family and travel, but he will also remain active in the profession, sitting in for other judges when necessary.
Strand, whose family moved to Dandridge when he was four years old, said he was looking into a career as an electrical engineer when he became inspired by the example of a first cousin who was an attorney in the U.S. Army and later went on to become a judge and Harvard faculty member.
“I wanted to help people and solve problems,” he said. “One of the things I take the most pride in is helping young people turn their lives around. When they come up to me in public and tell me I’ve helped them, there’s no better feeling.”
Strand, who was named the state’s outstanding juvenile court judge in 2009, volunteers his time at nearby Mountain View Youth Development Center, where he led development of a mock court. He also guides the Mock Court Team at Jefferson County High and is an adjunct faculty member at Carson-Newman University, as well as a devoted husband, father and grandfather. One of the things he’s most looking forward to in retirement is spending time with grandson Aiden Christopher, who is two and a half years old. Strand has nicknamed him “Ace.”
Strand is also a past president of the Judges Conference, having served in 2003-2004. He is a regular speaker to the group, presenting an annual legislative update on laws considered or passed by the Tennessee legislature. Judge Strand has been particularly renowned for his serving other counties as a substitute judge, including work for Cocke County when the local judge was serving his country in Iraq.
Strand has served as a deacon for many years at First Baptist Church of Dandridge, as well as serving in many other voluntary roles in the church. He is in 51st year in the legal profession. He worked at an attorneys’ office for five years before receiving his own law degree 46 years ago.
“My philosophy from the beginning is that I wanted to be fair to everyone,” said Strand. “I remember telling a fellow attorney years ago that I’d rather have the respect of my fellow citizens than be the richest man in the county. Because when you have that, you are the richest.”
By Steve Marion, Standard Banner Staff Writer. Thursday, October 3, 2013.