Judge Chumney was elected Shelby County Circuit Court Judge, Division Two, in 2022.

Education: 

B. A. in History with Honors & Economics, magna cum laude, Univ. of Memphis (formerly MSU) as a Presidential Scholar; first female President of Student Government Assoc.; ODK “MSU Leader of the Year,” “Outstanding Economics Student,” Liberal Arts Honor Society-1983

 J.D., University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law as a Herff Law Scholar- 1986 

Career Experience: 

Bestselling Author of The Arena: One Woman’s Story (Lady Justice Publishing 2021)- National Federation of Press Women- First Place At-large Autobiography/Memoir- 2022; Silver medal -“IPPY Awards”- South-Best Regional Non-fiction 2022; Finalist -Foreword Indies Book of the Year Award 

Columbia Law School – panelist at invitation of American Constitution Society-“Election Security and the Paperless Ballot: Litigation and Advocacy for a Stronger Democracy”-2019 

Shelby County Deputy Divorce Referee & Hearing Officer- 3 years 

Carol Chumney Law PLLC-including attorney for the election security lawsuit, Shelby Advocates for Valid Elections, et al v. Hargett, et al, 947 F. 3d 977 (6th Cir. 2020), cert. denied S.Ct. 2020 WL 5882333 (2020)(included participation by several national amici including the Brennan Law Center). 

Adjunct Professor- Univ. of Memphis Political Science Dept.- 2008 

Special Judge for Shelby County General Sessions Civil & Criminal Courts 

Guardian Ad Litem- for Shelby County Juvenile Court cases (by judicial appointment) 

Memphis City Councilmember- District 5-Chair of Public Safety & Homeland Security, O & M Budget, MLGW, Public Service & Neighborhood, and Healthcare Committees 

Glankler Brown Gilliland Chase Robinson & Raines- (partner & associate attorney)-16 years 

Tennessee State Representative (D-89)- 13 years- House Majority Whip (first female); Chair of House Children & Family Affairs Committee; including prime sponsor of nationally recognized child care reform, the Memphis Plan law helping citizens to access healthcare through the Church Health Center, and “Hunters for the Hungry” law for food banks & soup kitchens; Officer of House Judiciary Committee; first regular female member of House Finance Budget Subcommittee 

Tennessee Supreme Court Foster Care Commission 

Tennessee Supreme Court Gender Fairness Commission

 Selected to interview with U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist for a judicial clerkship - 1987 

Law Clerk to Judge Harry W. Wellford, Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals - 1986-87 

Editor-in-Chief, Memphis State Univ. Law Review (1985-86) 

“Evidence- The 609[a][1] Balancing Tests: What Factors are Applicable in Tennessee? 15 Mem. St. U.L. Rev. – 1985 

Achievements:

Ladies in Need Can Survive (domestic violence shelter)- “Unstoppable Award”- presented to Attorney Carol Chumney – 2018 

U.S. Delegate to East Asia-Pacific ACYPL International Alumnae Summit- (presented to Speaker of Diet for U.S. delegation)-2006 

American Business Women’s Assoc- Woman of the Year Luncheon- (guest speaker)-2004 

Network for Health Insurance Continuance- Award of Excellence- “in recognition of tireless work for the people of Tennessee for healthcare issues”- 2004 

Tenn. Development District Legislator of the Year Award-2003 

Memphis Woman Magazine- 50 Women Who Make a Difference Award - 2003

 Assoc. of Women Attorneys- Marion Griffin-Frances Loring Award - 2001 

U.T. Health Science Leadership Award- 2001 

Tenn. Sierra Club Appreciation Award-2001 

Tennessee Assoc. for the Education of Young Children- “Children’s Champion Award”- 2000 

“Outstanding Female Political Activist”- Rhodes College Democrats - 2000 

Together for Children- “for her support & dedication in increasing quality childcare in the State of Tennessee”- 2000 

Vollintine-Evergreen Neighborhood Assoc.- The Richard S. Borys Award for Outstanding Public Service- 1999 

Kingsbury Elementary School P.T.O.- “for her dedication & support of the pupils of Kingsbury Elementary School- Thank you for our new playground!”- 1997 

March of Dimes & TN Perinatal Assoc. “Legislator of the Year Award”- “for her contribution to healthier mothers and babies during 1996” 

The Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center- “in grateful appreciation for your generous support & continued commitment to the welfare of children”-1996 

Tennessee Task Force Against Domestic Violence Award- 1996 

Tennessee Trial Lawyers Award for Environment & Consumer Protection-1995 

Toll Fellow for Council of State Governments- 1995 

U.T. College of Law- Appreciation Plaque 1995 

The Massage Therapists of Tennessee-“in grateful appreciation for the Massage Licensure Act of 1995” 

Tenn. Citizen Action Leadership Award-1995 

U.S. Young Political Leader delegate to Japan- (one of seven)- ACYPL - 1992 

American Jurisprudence Award- Remedies – 1986 

Lt. Governor of Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature- 1982-83 

Alpha Lambda Delta- President [Freshman National Honor Society]- 1980 

Boards, Committees, Civic:

Volunteer judge & mentor Shelby County Juvenile Youth Court 

WLOK’s Let’s Talk Law guest host 

Former Board Member Memphis Zoo 

Economic Club of Memphis- member & former Board Member 

Philanthropist for the Ladies in Need Can Survive domestic violence shelter in Frayser 

Pro bono work for various nonprofit & religious organizations over the years 

Provida- fundraising organization to benefit the Girls Club of Memphis (former member) 

Professional Affiliations: 

Former President Memphis Federal Bar Association-1991 

Tennessee Bar Association- member and Law Tech ’21: Election & Technology CLE presenter 

Tennessee Judicial Conference 

Tennessee Trial Judges Association 

Memphis Bar Association- member & CLE presenter 

Association of Women Attorneys 

American Bar Association