MSCS Superintendent Taps Justin Bailey to Head General Counsel Office
Memphis-Shelby County School Integrates New General Counsel
Superintendent Marie Feagins, Ed.D. has unveiled her first major hire for the Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) nearly two months into her tenure. The school district has warmly welcomed Justin Bailey as the new lead for the general counsel office. Bailey is a highly respected professional who has had a remarkable journey with both Varsity Spirit and FedEx. He replaces the notable Memphis attorney Odell Horton Jr., who held the position since September 2023.
Tuesday marked Baileyโs first day on the job, with Horton Jr. staying onboard to aid in a smooth transition. Feagins praised the new counsel, โJustinโs wealth of legal expertise and dedication to our community make him an ideal fit for our executive team,โ she said in an official announcement. โI am confident that, under his guidance, the office of General Counsel will continue to thrive.โ
Tracing Baileyโs Professional Journey
When tracing Baileyโs track record, his integrated experience in varied sectors is indeed commendable. He served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee from September 2008 to October 2013. Bailey then took on the role of litigation counsel for International Paper for the span of four years. In a subsequent career move, he joined FedEx Freight as a Senior Attorney in June 2017.
He progressed through the ranks at FedEx, moving from Senior Counsel (December 2020) to Associate General Counsel of Compliance at Varsity Spirit in April 2022. He later became a partner at Bailey & Bailey, a post he held until he accepted the offer from MSCS in November 2023. Apart from this, Bailey also serves on the boards of Meritan and the Memphis Housing Authority. His compelling leadership qualities have garnered him recognition from Ebony as one of its โ30 Leaders of the Futureโ. Additionally, the National Bar Association has named him as one of the โNationโs Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40โ.
Impact on Memphis-Shelby County Schoolโs Future
This strategic maneuver by Superintendent Feagins could significantly affect MSCSโs ongoing operations and future avenues. Baileyโs vast understanding of the legal framework and his valuable experience in both counseling and in-house corporate roles will certainly bring a fresh perspective to the table.
His multifaceted career thus far underpins the likelihood that Bailey will leverage his versatile experience for the benefit of the school district. There is a palpable sense of anticipation from the entire MSCS community as they look forward to the contributions and changes that Justin Bailey will bring as the districtโs new general counsel.
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
