05/17/2025
Fun Fact: Attorney McLin is a proud legacy of the law.
Her late father, Reverend Judge J.C. McLin, blazed a trail before her by attending the University of Tennessee College of Law, where he graduated in just two and a half years with the December Class of 1974. Following in his footsteps, Attorney McLin earned her Juris Doctor from the same institution, graduating with the May Class of 2019. Both father and daughter were active members of the Black Law Students Association—Judge McLin served as President, while Attorney McLin served as Community Service Chair.
Their shared legacy extends to Lane College, a Historically Black College in Jackson, Tennessee. Judge McLin worked at Lane after graduation in an administrative role and served on the college’s Board of Trustees. Attorney McLin was a dynamic leader during her time at Lane, holding titles such as Miss Lane College 2007–2008, Senior Class President, Valedictorian, Junior Class Secretary, and member of the Health and Wellness Ambassadors and Disciplinary Council, among other positions.
Judge McLin’s legal career was equally distinguished. He worked with Memphis Area Legal Services, served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office, and later as a Public Defender. He eventually founded his own law firm, the Law Office of J.C. McLin & Kevin Childress. His judicial career began when he won the seat for Criminal Court Judge, Division 9, succeeding Judge Joe Brown. In 2002, he was appointed to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and was later considered for the Tennessee Supreme Court. Judge McLin continued working tirelessly on appeal cases even through his second battle with cancer, until his passing on September 3, 2011.
Attorney McLin takes immense pride in being the daughter of a man known for his perseverance, humility, and grace. She witnessed her father champion programs like the Second Chance Program, which supported formerly incarcerated individuals in rebuilding their lives through employment and opportunity. He also worked to help restore voting rights for those re-entering society.
Born in Trenton, Tennessee, during the heart of the Civil Rights Era, Judge McLin’s early education took place in poorly lit churches with hand-me-down books from segregated white schools. Despite the discrimination he faced, even during law school, he passed the Tennessee Bar Exam on his first attempt and went on to mentor others in achieving their legal credentials.
Judge J.C. McLin made history in countless ways—but above all, he left a lasting legacy of service, both from the pulpit and the bench. His impact on the community continues to live on through the work of Attorney McLin.
