Faculty Profile: Shayla Purifoy

Shayla Nicole Purifoy is a lifelong Memphian that is committed to helping Memphis thrive by being involved in community service, professional organizations, and supporting events and causes that uplift Memphis. She earned her B.A. from Rhodes College, majoring in Urban Studies and earned her J.D. from the University of Memphis, School of Law. Shayla Purifoy was appointed the position of Judicial Commissioner by the Board of Shelby County Commissioners on August 1, 2016. As a Judicial Commissioner, she arraigns defendants, decides order of protection hearings, sets bonds in addition to making probable cause determinations for search warrants, forfeiture warrants, arrest warrants, and preliminary hearings. She previously worked at Memphis Area Legal Services (MALS) and the Family Safety Center for almost 8 years assisting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking with civil legal issues. She has served as the treasurer, parliamentarian, recording secretary, and co-chaired the Social and Networking Committee for the Ben F. Jones Chapter (BFJ)of the National Bar Association. She was recently elected the 2019 vice president/president elect of BFJ. As an attorney and as a Judicial Commissioner she served on the Young Lawyers’ Division of the Memphis Bar Association (MBA) for multiple years, assisting with community service, CLE planning, social media, and pro bono work. As a long time board member of the BFJ, she hopes to strengthen the partnership of the MBA and the BFJ Chapter. She is currently involved in the Red Shoe Society for Ronald McDonald House, University of Memphis Unity in Diversity Banquet Planning Committee, Memphis Area Women’s Council, and the MBA Bench Bar Conference Planning Committee. In the past she was involved in the Memphis and Shelby County Domestic and Sexual Violence Council, Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services Family Law Task Force, Women of Achievement, The Leo Bearman Sr. American Inn of Court, Rhodes College Mock Trial Team, and The Central High School Mock Trial Team. Notably, she graduated from the Advocacy Learning Center, the MBA Leadership Forum, and received the Outstanding Associate award from the Leo Bearman Sr. American Inn of Court. She also received the New Advocate of the Year Award by the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services, and was selected by the Memphis Flyer for their annual Top Twenty Under Thirty.