3-11 CHG Gen. Sess. clerk Two Memphis attorneys, Republicans seek General Sessions clerk position By CAMILLE H. GAMBLE The Daily News Two Memphis attorneys will vie on Tuesday for the Republican nomination for General Sessions Court Clerk, a position which has been held by state Sen. John Ford since 1992. Ford is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Lynn Cobb, 46, has tried cases in General Sessions Court and has sat in as a special judge in Circuit and City courts. Since 1981, he has practiced law as a trial attorney with the law firm of Neely, Green, Fargarson, Brooke & Summers. He was appointed as part-time county attorney in 1994. He has a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., and a law degree from the University of Memphis. Cobb criticized Ford for "not giving his full time and attention to his duties. "Shelby County deserves a full-time clerk for a full-time salary instead of a part-time clerk with a full-time salary," Cobb said. "I will devote full time and attention to my duties when elected." Memphis attorney Chris Turner, 49, will run against Cobb for the Republican nomination. Turner served from 1976 until 1990 as a state representative for the 97th district. "I think the clerks office needs new direction to restore dignity and integrity to the office," Turner said. "We would operate on the fees the legislation provides and not look to the county for more revenue." Turner is in private practice as an attorney. He has undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Independents Joe Cooper and Tony Rush have filed petitions to run in the Aug. 1 general election. The annual salary of the General Sessions Court Clerk is $70,469. Circuit Court Division 3 race In the Circuit Court Division 3 judgeship race, former state Rep. Karen R. Williams will seek the Republican nomination. Williams, who is running unopposed, was appointed on Thursday by Gov. Don Sundquist to the Division 3 bench. She will succeed the late Judge James M. Tharpe. No one filed to run for the Democratic nomination. Williams was chosen from three nominees submitted to the governor by the Judicial Selection Commission. "I look forward to returning to the Circuit Court, where I served as a law clerk 20 years ago," Williams said. "I deeply appreciate Gov. Sundquists confidence in me, and Ill work very hard to be a good judge." Williams, 45, has served as deputy personnel commissioner since January 1995. Previously, she served in the Tennessee House of Representatives for 12 years, representing District 90 in Memphis. She is a 1972 graduate of the University of Arkansas and received her law degree from the University of Memphis in 1976. A Memphis native, she has been a partner in Coleman, Sorak & Williams and an associate in Apperson, Crump, Duzane & Maxwell. In the Shelby County General Election on Aug. 1, Williams will run against independents George E. Blancett and Mimi Phillips.