Chancery Court Clerk Janice Bodiford Serves Last Day
Chancery Court Clerk and Master, Janice Bodiford, announced her retirement effective September 1, 2022. Mrs. Bodiford served the citizens of Hardeman County since 2001.
“It has been a pleasure serving the citizens of Hardeman County. I have served under three of the states finest Chancellors; Dewey Whittington, Martha Brasfield, and William Cole.” said Bodiford. “I am very confident about my replacement and wish her the best.”
Mrs. Bodiford is a lifelong resident of Hardeman County. She graduated with honors from the National Center for Paralegal Training and worked as a paralegal for the Denton and Cary Law Firm for 24 years before being appointed Hardeman County Chancery Court Clerk and Master in 2001. Mrs. Bodiford was honored as Outstanding State Court Clerk 2012-2013 and again in 2018 by the County Officials Association of Tennessee.
Mrs. Bodiford served as Divisional President of the State Court Clerks Association 2009-2010, serving the organization again as President 2012-2013.
She has also served on multiple boards and committees, including the Education Committee and the Legislative Committee for the State Court
Clerks Association, Board of Directors for the State Court Clerks Association, and Board of Directors for the County Officials Association of Tennessee.
Kim Paras has been appointed to replace Bodiford and will be sworn in on September 1, 2022. Prior to being appointed Clerk and Master of the Hardeman County Chancery Court, Kim Paras worked for ten years as a paralegal, most recently at the law firm of Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell in Jackson, Tennessee. Paras received her Certificate of Paralegal Studies from Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York. A native of Bolivar, Paras graduated from Memphis State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. She worked in journalism for more than 20. An interest in law led her to obtain a paralegal certificate and begin a career in the legal field.
Paras grew up in Bolivar and is a 1984 graduate of Bolivar Central High. She has been married to her husband, Rich, for 15 years. Paras has four step-children and two step-grandchildren.
Hardeman County is located in the 25th Judicial District for the State of Tennessee. The remaining counties in this district are Fayette, McNairy, Tipton, and Lauderdale counties. There are two chancellors who serve this area. Most of the hearings include divorces, commitments, adoptions, worker’s compensation, boundary disputes, contracts, partition suits, probate matters, name changes, child support, and domestic matters.
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