Judge Deborah Henderson

KEEP Judge Deborah Means HENDERSON Judge of Division IV General Sessions Court Civil Division

(901) 644-2602

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About

EDUCATION

  • Graduate of University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Juris Doctorate
  • Graduate of Christian Brothers College, cum laude, Bachelor of Arts
  • Graduate of Central High School

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • General Sessions Judge, Division IV, over 16 years, August 2006 and re-elected 2014

  • Initiated and developed Mediator of the Day Program for Civil Division IV

  • Tennessee Board of Accountancy appointed by Governor Don Sundquist

  • Special Master of Shelby County's Chancery Court (first female and first minority)

  • Juvenile Defender staff for Juvenile Court of Memphis & Shelby County

  • Private Practice, over 16 years with a concentration of Domestic Relations, Probate, and Juvenile Law

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • 2023 President-Elect, Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference
  • 2013-2014 Vice President/Western Division of the General Sessions Judges Conference
  • Tennessee Access to Justice Commission serving on the Faith-Based Initiatives Committee
  • National Bar Association
  • Memphis Bar Association
  • Association of Women Attorneys
  • American Judges Association
  • National Association of Women Judges
  • Alumni Board for University of Memphis Law School
  • Master Emeritus for Leo Bearman, Sr. Chapter of the American Inns of Court

HONORS

  • 2010 African American Legacy Award  from North Memphis District, AME Church
  • 2001 American Business Women Association's Business Associate of the Year
  • 2011 Tri-State Defender's 50 Women of Excellence
  • 2017 Judge of the Year Award, Young Lawyers Division of Memphis Bar Association
  • 2018 - Most Outstanding Women (1 of 12) by Memphis Denominational Fellowship, Incorporated
  • Mid-South Community & Justice Mediation Award
  • 2018 Champion of Justice Award from Memphis Area Legal Services
  • 2021 Grayfred Gray Award selected by Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators given by Governor Bill Lee 
  • Graduate of University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Juris Doctorate
  • Graduate of Christian Brothers College, cum laude, Bachelor of Arts
  • Graduate of Central High School

OTHER ACTIVITIES

  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
  • National Council of Negro Women
  • Greater Middle Baptist Church
  • Mission Possible COSM, Inc., board member