Chancellor Kyle was elected to the bench in 2014 and spent the next 10 years serving the people of the 30th judicial district, which covers Shelby County.
“Having a judicial career has meant a lot to me,” said Chancellor Kyle. “In every job I’ve had it’s been important to me to feel I am helping others.”
Before serving on the bench, Chancellor Kyle served as a state senator for the 28th and 30th judicial districts for 31 years.
“I decided to become a judge because I enjoy the legal process and the practice of law,” said Chancellor Kyle. “I had done everything I thought I could as a state senator and becoming a judge seemed like a good way to transition into a different role that still allowed me to help people through the practice of law.”
In fact, Chancellor Kyle has two favorite ways of helping people through the practice of law.
“Adoptions. Bringing families together has been an honor,” he said. “And solving problems. Chancellors are problem solvers, which is different from other types of judges. I enjoyed being able to help people solve problems be it in business, domestic relations, et cetera. It gave me a great deal of satisfaction.”
Satisfaction and many memorable cases. One case in particular – the lawsuit against Galilee Memorial Gardens – stands out as a favorite.
“This was my very first case to rule on as a Chancellor,” said Chancellor Kyle. “The logistics of having a larger courtroom assembled to accommodate so many plaintiffs and attorneys was outstanding. And I was pleased that the bar was satisfied with my decision and clearing the case.”
Achieving satisfaction was an important part of Chancellor Kyle’s judicial career. It’s one of two things he will miss the most.
“The people and the sense of satisfaction at the end of the day,” said Chancellor Kyle. “We worked together to come up with solutions and the fact that at the end of the day we had succeeded to a degree was one of my favorite parts of being a judge.”
For anyone considering running for the bench, Chancellor Kyle offers this advice:
“Make sure you know you want to do this,” he said. “I gave running a great deal of thought and consideration before deciding it was the right choice. Be prepared to campaign county wide. I was surprised at how big the county is.”
Now that Chancellor Kyle is retired, his priorities center around his personal life.
“I am going to focus on getting well and managing my illness,” he said. “I’m looking forward to having more free time to spend with my family, especially Desmond, our dog, and my first grandchild, who is due to arrive at the end of January. I’m excited to have more time to catch up with old friends and neighbors. And, of course, I’ll continue to root for the Tigers and Grizzlies.”
Chancellor Kyle is thankful for the support of his family throughout his career in public service, as well as his colleagues in the 30th judicial district.
“I also want to thank JoeDae Jenkins and Melanie Taylor Jefferson for their kindness and support as my fellow Chancellors. And I would be remiss if I didn’t express my gratitude for all the wonderful people that I’ve had the pleasure of working with in the Clerk and Master’s Office over the past decade, especially Dorothy Duckett.”
Chancellor Kyle is a 1973 graduate of Arkansas State University and a 1976 graduate of the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. He officially retired on Jan. 3, 2025.
