Nashville - Governor Phil Bredesen today appointed John T. Fowlkes Jr., of Memphis as Criminal Court Judge for the 30th Judicial District, Division VI, in Shelby County. Fowlkes, who currently serves as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) responsible for the overall management of day-to-day operations of Shelby County Government, fills the vacancy created by the recent retirement of Judge W. Fred Axley.
"The unique combination of administrative and legal experience that John Fowlkes brings to the bench will serve the criminal court in Shelby County extremely well," said Bredesen. "As a prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney's Office and the District Attorney General's Office, John developed a vast knowledge and respect for our judicial system. In his current position, he led the development of the Shelby County Ethics Code instituted by Mayor AC Wharton. He will bring to the bench the respect and confidence of all those who know him, and I want to thank him for his willingness to serve the state in this position."
Fowlkes has been CAO for Shelby County since 2002. He is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee and Assistant District Attorney General for the 30th Judicial District in Memphis. He began his legal career as an Assistant Public Defender in Shelby County. He is a graduate of the University of Denver School of Law.
"I look forward to the challenges before me as a member of the trial bench," said Fowlkes. "And while there are many such challenges to take on, I have a lot of ideas about how to approach them and am eager to step into this role. I appreciate Governor Bredesen's confidence in me, and am honored to have this opportunity to serve the State of Tennessee."
Fowlkes, 56, is a member of Cross of Calvary Lutheran Church and serves on the Board of Directors of the National Bar Association, Ben F. Jones Chapter. He is a former member of the board of the National Civil Rights Museum and is a current class member of Leadership Memphis. Fowlkes and his wife, Michelle Lee Fowlkes, have lived in Shelby County for almost 30 years. They have two sons and three grandchildren.