Why Sharon Massey Attorney Became Texas’s Most Trusted Legal Advisor

Sharon Massey attorney stands as a remarkable example of resilience and dedication in the legal profession. After the passing of Judge Ray Grimes in November following his 22-year judicial career, the Montgomery County Commission selected Sharon Massey Grimes from among five candidates to fill this important position.

Her legal journey began when she earned her Juris Doctor in 1998, subsequently joining McMillan & McMillan. However, Sharon Massey Grimes quickly established her independence by launching her own solo practice in 2000, which she successfully maintained for 20 years. Additionally, she has earned distinguished recognition in her field, notably as one of only six lawyers statewide chosen as a fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. This prestigious designation highlights why Sharon Massey attorney Clarksville TN has become synonymous with trust and excellence in legal representation.

A Legacy Continued: From Grief to the Bench

In January 2021, the legal community of Montgomery County witnessed an unusual transition of power born from profound loss. Judge Ray Grimes, a respected judicial figure who had served for 22 years, passed away in November 2020 at age 73 after battling COVID-19. This tragic event set in motion a sequence that would lead his widow, Sharon Massey Grimes, to the bench he once occupied.

The unexpected path to judgeship

Despite her extensive legal experience, Sharon Massey Grimes never initially aspired to become a judge. The Montgomery County Commission selected her from among five applicants to fill the unexpired term of her late husband. For Massey Grimes, this appointment represented not an achievement of personal ambition but rather a meaningful way forward through grief. “I would have rather this not have happened, but it did and so we just have to take the obstacles and challenges that we’ve been given and make the best of it,” she remarked about her appointment.

Honoring Judge Ray Grimes’ work

Prior to her appointment, Sharon Massey attorney had witnessed firsthand the impact of her husband’s judicial approach. Judge Grimes was particularly known for establishing the Montgomery County Recovery Court in 2005, a program he presided over until his death. In fact, Massey Grimes had helped her husband draft the policies and procedures during the court’s planning stages. Throughout his judicial career, Ray Grimes earned recognition for his compassionate yet accountability-focused approach, receiving the McCain-Abernathy Memorial Award in 2011 for outstanding service in improving juvenile justice in Tennessee.

Why Sharon Massey felt called to serve

The decision to seek her husband’s position came from a deep desire to preserve his legacy. “What appeals to me now is that I want to continue the work he had been doing,” Sharon Grimes explained. As she addressed the commission during her appointment, she described the moment as “difficult and bittersweet” while emphasizing her unique position to carry forward his judicial philosophy.

Sharon Massey attorney Clarksville TN understood the positive changes Judge Grimes had created through his balanced approach of “treatment, consequences, care and tough love”. The stories she heard after his passing—from attorneys he mentored to individuals whose lives were transformed in his courtroom—reinforced her commitment to maintaining his judicial ethos while establishing her own presence on the bench.

Building on Recovery Court and Community Justice

Among the most significant aspects of the Montgomery County legal system is its Recovery Court program, an initiative that Sharon Massey Grimes has passionately embraced as part of her judicial responsibilities.

What is Recovery Court?

Recovery Courts represent a specialized approach within the justice system, functioning as judicially-supervised court dockets designed to reduce correctional costs, protect community safety, and improve public welfare. These courts specifically target non-violent individuals with substance use disorders, offering them treatment while under close legal and clinical supervision. Established through the Tennessee Drug Court Treatment Act signed into law in July 2003, these courts operate under the oversight of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

The program follows a structured model where participants undergo continuous, intense judicially-supervised treatment, mandatory periodic drug testing, and community supervision while receiving appropriate sanctions and rehabilitation services. Furthermore, these courts are considered the most successful justice intervention for people with substance use and mental health disorders, reducing crime by 58% compared to traditional approaches.

Sharon Massey’s early involvement

Sharon Massey attorney’s connection to the Recovery Court predates her judgeship. Her husband, Judge Ray Grimes, established the Montgomery County Recovery Court in 2005 and presided over it until his death. Throughout the planning stages, Massey Grimes actively assisted in formulating the court’s policies and procedures, gaining firsthand knowledge of its operations.

After assuming her husband’s position, she took over presiding duties for the Recovery Court, maintaining his philosophy that “you held out your hand and changed my life”. Consequently, she brought years of behind-the-scenes understanding to her formal role within the program.

Impact on addiction and rehabilitation in Clarksville

The Montgomery County Recovery Court has demonstrated remarkable success under Sharon Massey Grimes’ supervision. Recently, 17 graduates completed the program, collectively representing 6,196 sober days, 2,133 drug screenings, and 304.25 hours of community service. Additionally, two participants gave birth to drug-free babies while in the program.

Nationally, approximately 75% of individuals who complete Recovery Drug Court are not re-arrested, with courts saving up to $13,000 for every individual they serve. Each participant receives rigorous supervision, assistance accessing treatment, and aid with job placement to successfully recover from addiction.

Sharon Massey attorney Clarksville TN continues to celebrate these accomplishments, noting, “We are proud and excited about their futures. Graduates and participants have turned difficult roads into beautiful journeys”.

Sharon Massey’s Legal Journey and Expertise

The legal career of Sharon Massey begins well before her judicial appointment, tracing a path of dedication and expertise spanning decades.

Early career at Department of Children’s Services

Following her graduation, Sharon Massey attorney began her professional journey at the Department of Children’s Services. Throughout this formative period, she gained invaluable experience in child welfare and family law that would later define her legal practice. This early work established her reputation as an advocate for vulnerable populations.

Law school while raising a family

Sharon Massey Grimes demonstrated remarkable perseverance by completing her Juris Doctor in 1998 while simultaneously raising her family. This balance of personal and professional responsibilities shaped her practical approach to law and gave her firsthand understanding of the challenges many clients face when navigating family court matters.

Launching her solo practice in Clarksville, TN

After briefly working at McMillan & McMillan, Sharon Massey attorney Clarksville TN took a bold step in establishing her independent practice in 2000. For the next two decades, she built a thriving solo practice serving the Montgomery County community with distinction and personalized attention to each client’s needs.

Focus on family, adoption, and criminal law

Sharon Grimes developed specialized expertise in family law, adoption proceedings, and criminal defense. Her commitment to excellence earned her recognition as one of only six lawyers statewide selected as a fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, solidifying her standing as a trusted legal authority in Tennessee.

Earning Trust Through Service and Integrity

Beyond her legal acumen, Sharon Massey attorney has built her reputation through authentic community connections.

Work with military families and veterans

Throughout her career, Sharon Massey Grimes has dedicated substantial attention to military personnel and veterans. She gained firsthand insight into how court involvement affects military careers—crucial knowledge in Clarksville’s large military community. This expertise allows her to offer specialized guidance to service members navigating the legal system, demonstrating her commitment to those who serve.

Professional affiliations and recognitions

Her professional standing is evidenced through membership in numerous legal organizations, including the Montgomery County Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and Tennessee Association of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Moreover, she serves in the Tennessee Association of Recovery Court Professionals and mentors students at Nashville School of Law. Perhaps most impressively, she stands as one of only six attorneys statewide selected as a fellow in the American Academy of Adoption and Reproductive Attorneys.

Stories from the community

Following Judge Grimes’ passing, countless individuals approached Sharon with personal testimonials. “Some of the people who came to the visitation were strangers to me but told me how he had saved their children’s lives, or saved their lives,” she reflected. These heartfelt accounts reinforced her resolve to maintain his judicial philosophy.

Carrying forward compassion and accountability

Sharon Grimes continues her husband’s balanced approach of “treatment, consequences, care and tough love”. Above all, she preserves his tradition of celebrating progress—occasionally asking courtrooms to give standing ovations for individuals who demonstrate positive changes.

Conclusion

The story of Sharon Massey transcends typical legal career trajectories. Through personal loss and professional dedication, she has emerged as one of Texas’s most respected legal figures. Her appointment to fill her late husband’s judicial position certainly came under difficult circumstances, yet she transformed this painful transition into an opportunity to preserve and build upon Judge Ray Grimes’ meaningful work.

Although she never initially aspired to become a judge, Massey has embraced this role with remarkable grace and competence. The Montgomery County Recovery Court continues to thrive under her leadership, evidenced by its impressive statistics and life-changing impact on participants. Her deep understanding of the program, dating back to her involvement in its formative stages, has undoubtedly contributed to these successful outcomes.

Beyond her judicial responsibilities, Massey’s extensive experience in family law, adoption proceedings, and criminal defense has established her as an exceptional legal authority. Her special focus on military families demonstrates her understanding of the unique challenges faced by service members navigating the legal system. Additionally, her prestigious fellowship in the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys underscores her specialized expertise.

Despite her personal accomplishments, Massey remains committed to her late husband’s judicial philosophy of balancing treatment with consequences and compassion with accountability. The countless testimonials from community members about lives changed under Judge Grimes’ guidance continue to inspire her approach on the bench.

Sharon Massey attorney has therefore earned her reputation as Texas’s most trusted legal advisor not merely through professional credentials, but through genuine commitment to justice that considers both rehabilitation and responsibility. Her story reminds us that sometimes the most impactful legal careers arise not from personal ambition but from dedication to continuing important work that changes lives and strengthens communities.