New Shelby County judge appointed to Criminal Court Division 1 seat following Paula Skahan’s retirement
By: Gabriel Huff
Skahan retired after more than 20 years on the bench, announcing the news in January 2025. Her last day in court was Monday, June 30.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Tennessee governor has chosen a new judge judge to fill the vacant Criminal Court Division 1 seat left by well-known Shelby County Judge Paula Skahan.
Gov. Bill Lee announced Thursday, Aug. 28, that Raymond Lepone, who served as an assistant attorney general in the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General within the Criminal Appeals Division, will take up the appointment as the new judge.
Skahan retired after more than 20 years on the bench, announcing the news in January 2025. Her last day in court was Monday, June 30.
Skahan was appointed to Criminal Court Division 1 in December 2004 by then-Governor Phil Bredesen and was elected in 2006.
The Criminal Court Clerk’s Office called Skahan’s departure “the end of a significant era for the Shelby County Criminal Court.”
Lepone earned a bachelor’s degree from Kennesaw State University and juris doctor from Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.
His new appointment is effective immediately.
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