Fowlkes, John Thomas Jr. Born 1951 in Washington, DC Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee Nominated by Barack Obama on December 16, 2011, to a seat vacated by Bernice Bouie Donald. Confirmed by the Senate on July 10, 2012, and received commission on August 1, 2012. Education: Valparaiso University, B.A., 1975 University of Denver School of Law, J.D., 1977 Professional Career: Law clerk, Memphis [Tennessee] Area Legal Services, 1978 Assistant public defender, Shelby County, Tennessee, 1978-1979 Assistant district attorney general, Shelby County, Tennessee, 1979-1989 Assistant U.S. attorney, Western District of Tennessee, 1989-2002; first assistant U.S. attorney, 1993-1997, 2001-2002 Chief administrative officer, Shelby County, Tennessee, 2002-2007 Judge, Tennessee Criminal Court, Thirtieth Judicial District, 2007-2012