State of Mississippi Judiciary

Chief Judge Donna M. Barnes
District 1, Position 2

Judge Barnes holds Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Mississippi and a Master of Law degree from the University of Cambridge. A resident of Tupelo, she has been a member of the Court of Appeals since 2004.

Presiding Judge Virginia C. Carlton
District 4, Position 1

Judge Virginia Carter Carlton has served as an Associate Judge on the Mississippi Court of Appeals since January 2007. Judge Carlton has spent her career in public service.

Presiding Judge Jack L. Wilson
District 3, Position 1

Judge Jack L. Wilson of Madison was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Gov. Phil Bryant effective July 1, 2015. Judge Wilson grew up in Jackson and Tupelo and graduated from Tupelo High School.

Judge Jim M. Greenlee
District 1, Position 1

Judge Jim Greenlee of Oxford joined the Mississippi Court of Appeals on Jan. 20, 2016. Gov. Phil Bryant appointed him to the vacancy created when Judge James D. Maxwell II was appointed to the Mississippi Supreme Court.

Judge Latrice A. Westbrooks
District 2, Position 2

Judge Latrice Westbrooks of Lexington was sworn in as a member of the Mississippi Court of Appeals on Jan. 3, 2017. She was elected Nov. 8, 2016, to Court of Appeals District 2, Position 2.

Judge Deborah McDonald
District 2, Position 1

Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge Deborah McDonald was elected Nov. 27, 2018, and began her judicial term on Jan. 7, 2019.

Judge Anthony N. Lawrence, III
District 5, Position 1

Judge Anthony N. “Tony” Lawrence III was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi on April 3, 1965. He is the son of Anthony and Darla Lawrence of Pascagoula.

Judge David Neil McCarty
District 4, Position 2

Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge David Neil McCarty was elected Nov. 27, 2018, and took the oath of office on Jan. 7, 2019.

Judge Joel Smith
District 5, Position 2

Judge Joel Smith of Gulfport was appointed to the Mississippi Court of Appeals and took the oath of office on Jan. 19, 2021. Gov. Tate Reeves appointed Judge Smith to the position previously held by Sean Tindell.

Judge John H. Emfinger
District 3, Position 2

Judge John H. Emfinger of Brandon was appointed to the Mississippi Court of Appeals and took the oath of office on March 3, 2021. Gov. Tate Reeves appointed Judge Emfinger to the position previously held by Judge Cory Wilson.