TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Apr 25, 2025

Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Paula Skahan has announced that she will retire in June, the Daily Memphian reports. Skahan has served on the bench since 2004 when she was appointed by former Gov. Phil Bredesen. In a letter notifying Gov. Bill Lee of her retirement, Skahan said, “…it has been an honor and pleasure to serve our citizens for the past 20 years. I am truly grateful for the experience and memories it has given me during this time.” Before being appointed as judge, Skahan worked as a criminal-defense attorney, a prosecutor and a public defender in Shelby County. She graduated from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis.