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 Bailey’s first day on the job, with Horton Jr. staying onboard to aid in a smooth transition. Feagins praised the new counsel, “Justin’s wealth of legal expertise and dedication to our community make him an ideal fit for our executive team,” she said in an official announcement. “I am confident that, under his guidance, the office of General Counsel will continue to thrive.”

Tracing Bailey’s Professional Journey

When tracing Bailey’s 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 “30 Leaders of the Future”. Additionally, the National Bar Association has named him as one of the “Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40”.

Impact on Memphis-Shelby County School’s Future

This strategic maneuver by Superintendent Feagins could significantly affect MSCS’s ongoing operations and future avenues. Bailey’s 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 district’s new general counsel.