Governor Phil Bredesen today announced that 30th Judicial District Criminal Court Judge J.C. McLin will fill a vacancy in the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, Western Division, created by the retirement of Judge Joe Riley.
"I am pleased to appoint Judge J.C. McLin to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals," Bredesen said. "Judge McLin has been a highly respected member of the Shelby County legal community for more than 29 years. I know he will serve with integrity and honor in his new role on the Court of Criminal Appeals, and I thank him for his service to the State of Tennessee."
McLin, a Gibson County native, has been practicing law in Memphis since 1975. He has been working as a Criminal Court Judge in the 30th Judicial District since being elected to the position in 2000. From 1990 to 1999, Mc Lin worked in private practice specializing in criminal law, and from 1975 until 1990, he served as an Assistant District Attorney for the 30th Judicial District.
"I am honored to have been chosen by Governor Bredesen to serve our state on the Court of Criminal Appeals," McLin said. "I intend to bring dignity, respect and fairness to my position, and am pleased to have been chosen to serve."
McLin, 57, holds a bachelor's degree in business from Lane College, Jackson, holds a master's degree in education from the University of Tennessee, Martin, and earned his doctor of jurisprudence degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He is also a graduate of the National College of District Attorneys, Houston, Texas. He is a member of the National Bar Association (Ben Jones Chapter), and the Memphis and Shelby County Bar Association. He is a member of the Tennessee Judicial Conference, where he has served on the Jury Instructions and Literacy and the Courts Committees. He recently served as a facilitator at the National Judicial College in Reno, NV.
McLin also serves on the board of directors for Lane College. Judge Riley assumed a role as chief disciplinary counsel for the Court of the Judiciary on July 15.Judge McLin's appointment is effective immediately, and he will stand for election to a full 8-year term in 2006.