J. Rhea Tannehill, Jr. Elected as President of Mississippi Bar

Accomplished Oxford Lawyer to Lead Mississippi Bar

OXFORD, Mississippi – One of Oxford’s most respected attorneys, J. Rhea Tannehill, Jr., has been elected as the president of The Mississippi Bar. Receiving this honor on July 12, he will begin serving as the Bar’s 120th President from July of next year. As of now, the Mississippi Bar boasts nearly 9,000 active members who are licensed to practice law within the state.

A Proven Advocate and Legal Practitioner

Tannehill has consistently practiced law in Oxford since his graduation from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1996. In 2004, Tannehill and his then-law partner Jay Carmean established the reputable firm Tannehill & Carmean, PLLC. For over 20 years, the practice has dynamically emphasized the representation of the rights of injured persons, as well as criminal defense, estate planning, probate, real estate, and collection law. Tannehill currently holds the position of Managing Partner within the firm.

Additional Roles and Recognition

Alongside his responsibilities at the firm, Tannehill has served as the Municipal Court Judge of Sardis since 2007. Prior to this, he held the position of Municipal Court Prosecutor in the same location. He was appointed by the Mississippi Supreme Court in 2020 as a member of the Complaint Tribunal and has also served on the Board of Bar Admissions Committee for Character and Fitness for 12 years. Locally, he has served as President of the Lafayette County Bar and the Tri-County Jr. Bar Associations.

Academic Background and Military Career

Natively hailing from Union and an alumnus of Union High School, Tannehill holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and a master’s degree in education from the University of Mississippi. His varied career includes a 28-year service in the Mississippi Army National Guard, from which he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Originally enlisted in 1992, he was commissioned to First Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate Generals’ Corps in 1999. During his military career, Tannehill served as Military Judge presiding over courts-martial and hearings regarding Army and Air National Guard Soldiers.

Award and Deployment

As part of a 13-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Tannehill served as Brigade Trial Counsel for the 168th Engineering Brigade. Stationed at Forward Operating Base Sharana in Afghanistan, he became a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Action Badge.

A look into Personal Life

J. Rhea Tannehill, Jr. is married to Robyn McKenzie, currently into her second term as Mayor of Oxford. They are the proud parents of three adult children, who are all enjoying success in their respective fields. As devout members of Christ Presbyterian Church in Oxford, a church they helped to establish, they enjoy a fulfilled family life alongside their professional achievements.