J .  R H E A   T A N N E H I L L ,  J R .

J. Rhea Tannehill, Jr. has been practicing law in Oxford since graduating from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1996. From 1996 until 2002, Rhea worked in a firm representing individuals in personal injury cases and criminal defense.

In January 2003, Rhea ventured out on his own and into a solo practice by opening Tannehill Law Firm, PLLC. Rhea practiced by himself doing general personal injury, criminal defense, collection work for businesses, family law, some wills and estate work, and pretty much anything else he could get his hands on at the time. During this time, Rhea was fortunate enough to be appointed as Legal Counsel for the Oxford Housing Authority and Mississippi Region II Housing Authority. He also was hired by the City of Saris as their Municipal Court Prosecutor. Rhea still represents each these entities.

In January 2004, Jay P. Carmean and Rhea joined together and formed Tannehill & Carmean, PLLC. Rhea and Jay concentrate on representing the rights of injured persons, criminal defense and collections.

Rhea is a native of Union, Mississippi, and a graduate of Union High School. His parents, Jack Rhea Tannehill and Jane Johnson owned and operated the Union Appeal, which is a weekly newspaper, while he was growing up. Rhea helped in the family business until he graduated from high school with the printing and distribution of the newspapers and other printed materials. Jack Tannehill still owns and operates the Union Appeal.

Rhea received a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration and Masters Degree in Education from the University of Mississippi in 1991 and 1992, respectively. While an undergraduate at the University of Mississippi, Rhea was elected President of the Associated Student Body and inducted into the Student Hall of Fame. Rhea was an active member of the Mississippi Alpha Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and served as Vice-President.

Rhea has served as a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard since 1992. He enlisted in 4/114th Field Artillery as a cannon fire direction specialist and did his basic training at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. He stayed there until his unit transformed into 1/204th Air Defense Artillery, and he served as a crewmember on the Avenger and Man Portable Air Defense System (Stinger Missile) Weapons Systems. In 1999, Rhea accepted a direct commission to First Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate Generals' Corps. He currently serves as Brigade Trial Counsel for the 631st Field Artillery Brigade, Headquarters Battery in Grenada, Mississippi. During his years of service, Rhea has been awarded several medals including the Mississippi War Medal, Mississippi Emergency Service Medal, Mississippi Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (2), Army Commendation Medal, and Humanitarian Service Medal.

As an active member of the The Mississippi Bar, Rhea currently serves as President of the Young Lawyer's Division of the Mississippi Bar. As a result of his position, he is a Commissioner of the Mississippi Bar and member of the Mississippi Bar's Executive Committee. Rhea served three years on the Mississippi Bar's Professional Responsibility Committee, and was honored to serve as Chairman his final year. He has also served as a member of the Bar's Character and Fitness Committee for many years. Rhea has been honored to be selected to participate in the James O. Dukes Professionalism Program for first year law students at the University of Mississippi since its inception. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Young Lawyers Division of The Mississippi Bar and as Co-Chairman of YLD's Video-conference Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Law School Relations and Nominations, Elections and Awards Committees. He is a member of the Lafayette County Bar Association and the Tri-County Jr. Bar Association, and has served as President of both organizations.

Rhea has been active in the Oxford and Lafayette County communities through civic and community organizations including the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council and the Oxford/Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce. Rhea is a graduate of Leadership Lafayette and former member of the Oxford/Lafayette County United Way Board of Directors.

Rhea is married to the former Robyn McKenzie of Florence, Alabama and they have three children, Maggie (7), Jack (5) and Molly Catherine (2) and two spoiled cats, Catfish and Hushpuppie. The Tannehills are members of Christ Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Oxford, which is a church they help found and charter in 1995.

B A R   A D M I S S I O N Mississippi, 1996 U.S. District Court, Northern District of Mississippi, 1996 U.S. District Court, Southern District of Mississippi, 1996 U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 1996 E D U C A T I O N J.D., University of Mississippi, 1996 M.Ed., University of Mississippi, 1992 B.P.A., University of Mississippi, 1991 P R O F E S S I O N A L   &   C I V I C   I N V O L V E M E N T Mississippi Bar Mississippi Young Lawyer's Division, Board of Directors Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association Lafayette County Bar, Vice President (2000-2001) Lafayette County Bar, President (2001-2002) Tri-County Jr. Bar Association Lafayette County United Way, Board of Directors Trial Counsel, CPT, 631st FA, BDE, MS Army National Guard C O N T A C T   I N F O R M A T I O N 662.236.9996 jrt@tannehillcarmean.com