Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Haslam Appoints Parkes Circuit Court Judge
On Monday Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam appointed 
Lawrenceburg native J. Russell Parkes of Columbia as Circuit Court Judge for the 22nd Judicial District.
Parkes replaces Judge Robert Lee Holloway, who recently was named to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. The 22nd Judicial District includes Giles, Lawrence, Maury and Wayne counties.
“We are fortunate to have someone with the qualifications and experience of Russ Parkes to serve in this role,” Haslam said. “I am pleased to appoint him, and citizens of the 22nd Judicial District will be well served by this appointment.”
Parkes, 52, has been a co-managing partner and co-equity member of the Hardin, Parkes, Kelley & Carter law firm in Columbia. He has been at the firm since 1990.
In addition to the day-to-day management of the firm’s attorneys and staff, Parkes has had a practice that included more than 80 jury trials and the representation of numerous corporate and individual clients. Parkes worked as an associate at Boston, Bates, Holt & Sands from 1986-1990.
“I am both honored and humbled by Gov. Haslam’s appointment,” Parkes said. “While I will miss working alongside my dear friend and law partner of 25 years, Tom Hardin, and the other talented members of our firm, I look forward to working with the wonderful trial judges, clerks, and lawyers of the 22nd Judicial District. It is a special honor to succeed Judge Robert L. Holloway, a talented jurist and long-time friend.”
Parkes, a Columbia resident, has been chairman of the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility since January 1, 2014 and a member of the board since 2011. He is also past president of the Maury County Bar Association, of which he has been a member since 1987.
Parkes received his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 1986. He received a bachelor’s degree in science-marketing from the University of North Alabama in 1984. Parkes and his wife, Phyllis, have five children, Lauren, Neelley, Blair, Brent and Terah Beth and three grandchildren.
