Join TBA for a Zoom panel discussion on diversifying the judicial branch. Produced by the TBA Committee on Racial & Ethnic Diversity, this free event is the first part of a series focused on providing minority lawyers the tools needed when seeking judgeships, featuring candid discussions on preparation for running, financing, campaigning, transition of practice and other needs.

Panelists include:

MARY BEARD (Moderator) is Senior HR Counsel for HCA, where she advises the Chief Human Resources Officer and his executive team on legal matters, including but not limited to labor and employment, contracts and healthcare. A graduate of Vanderbilt School of Law, Beard has served her profession as a former president of the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association, former chair of the Tennessee Judicial Nominating Committee, former co-chair of the Tennessee Bar Associations’ Labor and Employment Executive Council and the Racial and Ethnic Diversity Committee. She is a Fellow of the Memphis Bar Association and Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Jobs for Tennessee Graduates and as Treasurer of the Napier-Looby Bar Association.

JUDGE ANA L. ESCOBAR was elected to the General Sessions Court of Davidson County in August 2018.  Judge Escobar was born in Colombia, South America and became a United States citizen when she was twelve years old. She and her family have lived in Nashville for over forty years. Judge Escobar earned her college degree from Vanderbilt University and graduated from The National Law Center at George Washington University with a Doctor in Jurisprudence. Prior to her election, Judge Escobar has practiced law since 1995 by serving as an assistant public defender, an assistant district attorney, solo practitioner, Metro Clerk, and Deputy Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts.

CHANCELLOR JOEDAE L. JENKINS was elected to the office of Chancellor on Part 3 of Chancery Court for Shelby County in 2016. He attended the University of Mississippi where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree and a law degree. After law school, he began a tour of duty with the U.S. Air Force as a Systems Level Contracting Officer in the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. At the end of his tour of duty, he established a private practice in Memphis, representing corporate clients, governmental entities and individuals for more than 25 years. Jenkins has volunteered to many causes including Phi Beta Sigma, Inc., Optimist Club of Memphis, Memphis Bar Association, Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and Memphis chapter of the NAACP.  He also serves as the Assistant Pastor of Oak Grove M. B. Church, located in Memphis.

JIMMIE MILLER previously served on the Governor Bill Lee’s Council for Judicial Appointments. Miller practices in the Kingsport firm of Hunter Smith where she routinely defends medical malpractice cases for hospitals, physicians, nursing homes and other medical providers. Previously, Miller served as chair of the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility and is a past president of the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners. Miller is also a past member of the Tennessee Bar Association’s board of governors. She has 35 years of experience as a trial lawyer and has tried in excess of 200 jury trials to conclusion in Virginia and Tennessee state and federal courts.

CHANCELLOR I'ASHEA L. MYLES is a chancellor for Part III of the Tennessee 20th Judicial District Chancery Court. Prior to the bench, Myles focused her practice on construction law, real estate law, employment law and commercial business law, with an emphasis on dispute resolution, including mediation, arbitration, jury and bench trials in both federal and state court. She also represented businesses in liquor licensing in the state of Tennessee. Her experience covers a wide range of matters and disputes including claims and disputes arising from contract disputes, defective work, payment disputes, mechanics' and materialmen's liens, design defects and delay claims.