Moffett Tabbed For Chancery Judge Post

(Jackson, Miss.) Dec. 18, 2015 — Governor Phil Bryant announced today that he has appointed Tupelo attorney Terrill K. “T.K.” Moffett chancery judge in Northeast Mississippi’s First Judicial District.

Moffett succeeds Judge Talmadge Littlejohn, who passed away in October. Because more than half of Littlejohn’s term remained, there will be a special election to fill the seat next November.

Moffett, who owns Moffett Law Firm, PLLC, in Tupelo, has practiced law for 35 years, while pursuing a dual military career. He received a bachelor’s of science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1971. In 1974, he received a master’s degree from the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. He graduated with a juris doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1979 and completed a National Security Fellowship at Harvard University in 1996.

Moffett is admitted to practice in Mississippi and Alabama. During law school, he taught American government at Itawamba Community College and Northwest Community College and political science at the University of Mississippi. He also taught Mississippi rules of civil procedure as an adjunct professor at the University of Mississippi’s Tupelo campus.

“Mr. Moffett’s educational and professional credentials will serve the people of the First District well,” Governor Bryant said. “I am thankful he has agreed to serve on the chancery bench.”

Moffett, a graduate of Amory High School, started his military career when he entered West Point as a cadet. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an Infantry Second Lieutenant and completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course and Airborne School. His military career spanned more than 37 years and included assignments with the 25^th Infantry Division, the 155^th Armored Brigade and the 66^th Troop Command of the Mississippi National Guard, the 91^st Division and the 104^th Division. He commanded at every level from platoon leader to division commander.

Moffett mobilized with the 155^th Armored Brigade for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm and with the 91^st Division for Operation Enduring Freedom. His military career concluded with an assignment as Commanding General of the 104^th Division in Vancouver, Washington. His awards and decorations include the Mississippi Commendation Medal, the Mississippi Magnolia Medal, the Mississippi Magnolia Cross, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Army Distinguished Service Medal. He retired as a Major General.

Moffett is the Founder of Moffett Leadership Institute and has conducted leadership and ethics training in the U.S., Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda. In 2015, Governor Bryant appointed Moffett to the Veterans’ Home Purchase Board, an organization that approves home loans for veterans.

“I appreciate the confidence Governor Bryant has shown in me by appointing me chancery judge,” Moffett said. “Judge Mask, Judge Malski, Judge Hatcher and the attorneys of the First Judicial District all do a great job, and I consider it an honor to work with them. Judge Littlejohn was a hard-working, capable judge, and I hope to serve the attorneys and people of the First Judicial District by following that same tradition.”

Moffett served as Tupelo City Prosecutor for 10 years. He lives with his wife, Rita, in Tupelo, where he is a deacon at First Baptist Church. They have one daughter, Tara Leigh Dowden, married to Dr. Landon Dowden. The Moffetts have four grandchildren – Arabella, Adalaide, Adoniram and Alastair Dowden.