James R. (Jim) Newsom III ’79 has been appointed chancellor in Tennessee’s 30th Judicial District, which serves Shelby County, by Governor Bill Haslam.
Newsom has been a member of the Memphis law firm Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh since 2005. He practiced with that firm’s predecessor, Hanover Walsh Jalenak & Blair, from 1979 to 2004. He became a member of the firm in 1985.
Newsom was appointed special master of the Chancery Court for Tennessee’s 30th Judicial District in November 2010 and served in that position through January 2015.
“Tennesseans in the 30th Judicial District will be served well by this appointment,” Haslam said. “Jim Newsom has a strong commitment to justice and an excellent record of work in Shelby County. We appreciate his willingness to serve in this capacity.”
“I want to thank Governor Haslam for his appointment,” Newsom said. “I am humbled that I was his choice for this important position. I look forward to taking on its challenges. I hope to justify the Governor’s confidence by serving the people of Shelby County well as their new Chancellor.”
A native of Memphis, Newsom earned his bachelor’s degree from Rhodes College in 1976 before earning his law degree at Vanderbilt. He and his wife, Debra, have three grown children, Jonathan, Christopher and Katherine, and two grandchildren.