General Sessions Court Clerk

Joe W. Brown

Joe W. Brown

General Sessions Court
Title: Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk

A Note about the Clerk:

Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk Joe Brown has been married to his beautiful wife Jeanette for 57 years and they have two accomplished daughters, StacyJo and JoeNicole.  He also has one grandson named Christopher currently attending the University of Memphis.  He considers his love for God and his family as his highest accomplishments ever achieved.  Clerk Brown is a lifelong Memphian that grew up in South Memphis.  He attended Booker T. Washington High School and received a higher education at Tennessee State University.  He is the Founder, President and CEO of Empire Chemical Supply Company Incorporated.  

Mr. Brown was elected to 5 terms. A combined 21 years by the citizens of Super District 8, Position 1 to serve as their representative on the Memphis City Council from 1998 until 2019.  While on the council he sponsored ordinances in regards to the Living Wage, the ordinance requiring independent living facilities to provide life safety equipment in all of their buildings and a resolution renaming the main library for Reverend Benjamin Hooks to name a few.  As he served on the housing committee, he is also responsible for affordable housing, He has been a strong supporter of organized labor and he has served as a union steward.  

Mr. Brown is President of the North Memphis Business Association; Board membership includes North Memphis Concerned Citizens, the Kennedy Democratic Organization, Case Management, Tennessee Technology Institute, Honorary board member of the Coalition of Black Employees, a life time member of the NAACP and The loafers Incorporated.

Mr. Brown has been honored with many awards including the Silver Star Black Achievers Award, Black Business Association Benny Award, Stellar Award, Father of the Year Award, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award, Community Leadership Award, National Small Business Award, Christian Men of Distinction Award, Outstanding Business Associate of the Year Award, VECA Public Service Award, The Stone Award and the Nat Turner Award.

 He continues to walk with the people. 

Organization & Responsibilities

The General Sessions Court was created by a private legislative act in 1941 (Tennessee Private Acts, 1941, Ch. 123, section 1). It is responsible for maintaining the records and funds of Shelby County's: