Patricia A. Odell was appointed by Shelby County Mayor, A C Wharton, Jr. to serve as Shelby County Divorce Referee in April 2005.  She was appointed to this position after serving as a Judicial Commissioner for seven years, reviewing and issuing arrest documents, setting bonds, and conducting order of protection hearings.  Prior to that, Ms. Odell practiced law for more than eighteen years in the areas of employment discrimination, criminal law, personal injury and probate, but primarily in the area of family law. 

Ms. Odell is a member of the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association; Memphis Bar Association; Memphis Bar Foundation, Inc.; and American Bar Association, Family Law Division.  She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Washington Chapel CME Church.