York City, New York where he completed his undergraduate studies, and in 1972 graduated from the
University of TN School of Law. He practiced as an IRS Estate and Gift Tax attorney for several years and began
private practice in 1978. Mr. McMahon was admitted to the TN Supreme Court, U.S. Tax and
District Courts and the U.S. Supreme Court. He served as past president of the Federal Bar Association in
Memphis and as chairman of the Tax, Probate and Trust Section of the TN Bar. He also served as
chairman of the Economics of Law Practice Committee of the Memphis and Shelby County Bar
Association. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, a member of the
Tennessee Probate Study Committee and the Memphis Estate Planning Council and past president of
the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Memphis branch. He was consistently listed in the “Best Lawyers in
America” and “Super Lawyers of the Mid-South” and also listed in “Best Attorneys in TN” and in “U.S.
News Best Lawyers”. Mr. McMahon authored many articles on tax and estate planning and was a
frequent speaker at numerous seminars around the Mid-South. He was preceded in death by his parents
Arthur and Anne McMahon. Mr. McMahon leaves behind his wife of 27 years, Sue Hilderbrand
McMahon; sister, Anne (Raymond) Gilliam of South Carolina; brother, Art (Bing) McMahon of Virginia;
his sisters-in-law, Pat (Jack) Nichols, Beth (David) Kelley, and Fran (Jack) Swain and special nieces
and nephews, Brenda, Max, Tyler, Christina, John, Sarah, Rachel, Tim and Ben. Visitation is Saturday,
December 21 from 9 am until service time at 11 am at Memphis Funeral Home on Poplar Ave. Burial will
follow in Edmondson Cemetery in Southaven, MS.
Jim will be remembered for his self-less giving and his love for family and friends. Known as a “lawyer’s
lawyer”, he provided mentoring and support to all in the profession.
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