Article by Featured Author
Posted August 2026
Wisdom. Courtesy. Integrity.
On July 21, 2026, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi held a celebration honoring District Judge Tom S. Lee. Attorneys, fellow judges, former law clerks, family, and friends filled the courtroom (and an adjacent overflow courtroom), eager to pay tribute. Chief District Judge Sul Ozerden presided over the ceremony.
Various speakers shared personal stories about Judge Lee—recounting his college and law-school days, his early legal career, and his time on the federal bench. Through each speaker the message was largely the same. Judge Lee, throughout his personal and professional life, has modeled wisdom, courtesy, and integrity.
To begin, Myrtis Franke shared Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith's tribute to Judge Lee, which the Senator had read into the Congressional Record on the floor of the United States Senate that morning. Next Sid Salter entertained the packed courtroom with tales of Scott County, where Judge Lee started his legal career, serving as a county prosecutor, youth-court judge, and municipal judge. District Judge Dan Jordan, who succeeded Judge Lee in 2006 when he took senior status, aptly described Judge Lee as one of “the finest judges that our state has ever seen.” He shared how he admired Judge Lee as a practicing lawyer and now strives to emulate Judge Lee on the bench.
Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Case, on behalf of the Federal Bar Association, complimented Judge Lee's steady temperament, dedication to the rule of law, and steadfast respect for the courtroom and the people inside it. As a token of appreciation, she presented a puzzle fashioned from Lee's judicial portrait—a nod to his ability to work through the complex civil and criminal cases brought before him.
Lawrence Coco, a former law clerk to Judge Lee and current Head of School at Jackson Prep, shared the special role Judge Lee, his wife Norma Ruth, and their family have played in his life. He described Judge Lee as a leader, mentor, and teacher who treats everyone—his staff, the lawyers in his courtroom, and their clients—with compassion, respect, and kindness. Trey Jones, another former law clerk and practicing attorney, then delivered a video message topped off with a rousing rendition of “On the Road Again,” accompanied by Trey's bandmates from Luckenbach, his Willie Nelson Tribute Band.
Judge Lee closed the ceremony by expressing his deep appreciation for the kind remarks. He introduced Norma Ruth, their children, and grandchildren, all of whom were in attendance. He recognized his former staff, including court reporters, law clerks, secretaries, and courtroom deputies. And he shared what a distinct pleasure it had been to serve alongside his fellow judges and Clerks of Court. Judge Lee ended by saying, “God has richly blessed me. Serving as a United States District Judge has been a supreme joy and the honor of my life.”
Personally, I was honored to attend, as I have Judge Lee to thank for my rewarding career as a federal law clerk. Judge Lee offered me a job in 2001, after I had completed only one semester of law school. When I reported for duty in September 2003 with three-month-old twins in tow, he didn't bat an eye. While I planned to stay for just one year, he kept me around for three and recommended me to his successor Judge Jordan. Since then, he and Norma Ruth have been a steady caring presence in my life, and I am fortunate to count them as friends.
Elizabeth Howell Pritchard is Career Law Clerk to Judge Daniel P. Jordan III.
