Jim Greenlee
As a practicing attorney, Jim M. Greenlee has plenty of experience in the courts of law. Now, the University of Mississippi engineering graduate will not be prosecuting or defending clients, but rendering decisions on cases presented in his own courtroom.
Gov. Phil Bryant appointed Greenlee as the newest judge on the Mississippi Court of Appeals in late January. He replaced James D. Maxwell, whom the governor recently appointed to the Mississippi Supreme Court. Greenlee represents northeast Mississippi’s District 1.
“To be considered for this position is an honor,” Greenlee said. “To be actually appointed by Governor Bryant as a judge of the Court of Appeals is a humbling experience for which I am truly grateful. My prayer is that I may serve diligently, seeking justice and truth, always mindful that compassion and humility are virtuous. I would hope that others would help me live up to that prayer.”
While Greenlee’s professional responsibilities will occupy most of his time, he plans to remain actively involved with his alma mater. He has served on the School of Engineering Advisory Board, as a guest lecturer for Engineering Leadership and Professionalism class (ENGR 400) on the topic of engineering ethics and as a panel member of the university’s Accelerated Engineering Law 3+3 Program.
“This innovative program not only provides a saving to the gifted students through efficient use of their education dollars, it provides much more value to all: the students and the schools,” Greenlee said. “The School of Engineering gains by providing the future legal support for the profession and its emerging advances. The School of Law is provided with top students of outstanding analytical ability to mold into leaders in law in this ever-advancing technological society.”
Greenlee came to the university from Batesville after being awarded an U.S. Navy ROTC scholarship.
“I’d always known about Ole Miss growing up and dreamed of pursuing my college education there,” he said. “I was one of the first students to enroll in the School of Engineering’s Bachelor of Engineering degree program.”
Among Greenlee’s favorite professors was the late Damon Wall, professor emeritus of electrical engineering and assistant dean emeritus of the school.
“Professor Wall was my adviser, mentor and friend,” Greenlee said. “He knew that even though I had a naval scholarship, it wasn’t enough to cover the expenses of my education. Thanks to his direction, I received an engineering scholarship, graduated on time and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy.”
Since receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1974, Greenlee has been a faithful, active supporter of the engineering school.
The former U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, Greenlee is in private practice with Holcomb Dunbar in Oxford, having joined the firm in 2010. He practices white-collar and criminal law, governmental enforcement defense and litigates in federal and state courts.
Greenlee served in the U.S Attorney’s office in Oxford for 22 years. He started as an assistant U.S. attorney in 1987, working in the Civil Division, where he became the lead civil fraud attorney trying bankruptcy, tort, employment rights, eminent domain and white collar criminal cases.
He was appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2001 as U.S. attorney. In that capacity, Greenlee’s office prosecuted white-collar crimes, public corruption, drug and gun trafficking, and identity theft cases while also representing the United States in civil cases.
“Jim’s background in private practice and experience as a former federal prosecutor make him uniquely qualified for this position,” Bryant said. “He has served his country with honor and integrity as a member of the United States Navy, and I’m certain he will do the same for his home state on the Court of Appeals. I’m delighted he has accepted this appointment.”
Greenlee served active duty in the U.S. Navy until 1978 and in the U.S. Naval Reserve until 1997. He retired as a captain. During his reserve service, he was commanding officer of a Reserve Naval Criminal Investigative Service Unit.
Greenlee graduated from the UM School of Law in 1981 and entered private practice in north Mississippi.
He served on the Mississippi Bar Special Task Force on the Attorney-Client Privilege. Greenlee has made presentations to the Federal Bar Association, Federal Judicial Center on Charging Decisions and the Sentencing Guidelines, and the International Leadership Conference on Social Justice and Public Policy at UM. He was the keynote speaker at the 2009 convention of the Council on Litigation Management.
He is a member of the Mississippi State Bar and the Lafayette County Bar Association and is a former member of the Federal Bar Association, having served the Federal Bar as Northern District vice president. A bencher in the William C. Keady Chapter of American Inns of Court, he is also a fellow of The Litigation Counsel of America, an honorary of attorneys in trial practice. Greenlee was inducted as a fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation in 2010.
Among his accolades, Greenlee said it is impossible to determine which has been the most personally gratifying.
“Professionally, every day is a challenge,” Greenlee said. “Everything I’ve done has been a new experience that has brought me great memories afterwards. I simply can’t single out one thing.”
The son of the late Tom and Bill (Margaret) Greenlee of Batesville, he has been married to the former Ann Veazey for more than 41 years. His hobbies include spending time with his family and friends, attending Ole Miss sporting events, hunting and being active at Oxford-University United Methodist Church. The Greenlees have two married daughters, Veazey Hillmer and Taylor Kilgore.
Greenlee credits the Ole Miss engineering program as a major factor in his success.
“That’s the reason why I continue to give back to Ole Miss students and faculty,” he said.