Robert L. Childers

Robert L. Childers
Official portrait, 2012
Judge of the Tennessee Circuit Court
In office
1984 – June 30, 2017
Personal details
Born (1948-03-12) March 12, 1948
Tennessee, U.S.
PartyIndependent
SpouseAmy Amundsen
EducationUniversity of Memphis (BBA, JD)

Robert L. Childers (born March 12, 1948) is an American lawyer and retired jurist who served as a judge of the Tennessee Circuit Court for the 30th Judicial District in Memphis from 1984 to 2017.

Early life and education

Childers was born on March 12, 1948, in Tennessee.[1] He graduated from the University of Memphis with a bachelor of Business Administration in 1971.[2] Childers earned his Juris Doctor from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 1974.[2][3]

Career

Prior to his election to the state bench, Childers worked as an attorney in private practice from 1975 to 1984.[3][4]

In 1984, Childers was elected to the 30th Judicial District of the Tennessee Circuit Court as an Independent,[5] representing Shelby County, Tennessee.[3] He was re-elected in 1990, 1998, 2006, and 2014.[3]

From 1989 to 1990, and again from 1997 to 1998, Childers served as the Presiding Judge of the 30th Judicial District, elected by his fellow judges.[4]

In 2003, Judge Childers was designated by the Tennessee Supreme Court to preside over the widely publicized Anna Mae He case. In a controversial ruling, Childers terminated the birth parents' parental rights.[6][7] The ruling was subsequently affirmed by a majority in the Tennessee Court of Appeals, but was reversed by the Tennessee Supreme Court in 2007.[8][9]

Childers retired from the bench on June 30, 2017.[4]

Personal life

Childers is married to his wife, Amy J. Amundsen.[2][4] He is a patrilineal descendant of Abraham Childers and grandson of Francis Gracey Childers.

References

  1. ↑ "Member Spotlight: Robert L. "Butch" Childers". American Bar Association. June 28, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "The Honorable Robert L. "Butch" Childers". University of Memphis. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Robert L. Childers". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "The Honorable Robert L. Childers, Circuit Court Judge for the 30th Judicial District in Shelby County, retired on June 30, 2017 | Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts". www.tncourts.gov. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Circuit Court Judge Division IX District 30" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  6. ↑ Hart, Ariel (May 13, 2004). "Chinese Parents Not Tricked, Judge Says in Custody Case". The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  7. ↑ "JUDGE SEVERS PARENTAL RIGHTS IN BATTLE FOR 5-YEAR-OLD GIRL". Orlando Sentinel. May 13, 2004. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Chinese Parents Not Tricked, Judge Says in Custody Case". NBC News. January 23, 2007. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  9. ↑ Johnson, Caitlin (January 24, 2007). "Court Sends Foster Child Back To China". CBS News. Retrieved August 9, 2026.


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