TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Nov 11, 2025

Judge Raymond Lepone was appointed to the 30th Judicial District Criminal Court, which covers Shelby County, by Gov. Bill Lee on Aug. 29, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Paula Skahan. Although he has a new title, Lepone is no stranger to the criminal court. Prior to taking the bench, he was a juvenile court magistrate, presiding over delinquency, custody, visitation, and dependency and neglect dockets. Lepone pursued a legal career later than most and said his uncle, a police officer in Philadelphia, inspire him to serve. “He would always be in his uniform and tell me Batman and Robin stories because I was young. He always explained his job as trying to keep people safe and help people. When I went to law school, I knew I wanted to be a prosecutor and that’s exactly what I did.” Lepone is a graduate of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and Kennesaw State University. Read more in a profile from the Administrative Office of the Courts.