Following Gov. Tate Reeves’ appointment of Wes Curry, who currently serves as municipal judge for the City of Hattiesburg, Mayor Toby Barker has made three appointments to the city court as it transitions into the future.
During a news conference June 4 at Hattiesburg City Hall, Barker announced the appointments of Brian R. Bledsoe for Municipal Court Judge Post 1, Gay Polk-Payton for Municipal Court Judge Post 2, and Mary Moore Conville for Municipal Court Judge Pro Tempore.
“Our main priority is preserving the stability, professionalism and forward-thinking posture of Hattiesburg’s municipal court,” Barker said. “We seek to continue building a court that is not punitive, but rather empowers people to lead better lives, which in turn makes our community safer.
“As we evaluated which individuals might lead that court in the coming years, it wasn’t a long search.”
Bledsoe has served as municipal judge since 2017. He also has served as school board attorney for the Marion County and Forrest County school districts, as well as special counsel to then-Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann.
Bledsoe holds a Juris Doctor from Mississippi College School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is also involved in several community organizations, including serving as Vice President of the Municipal Court Judge’s Association and board member for the Hattiesburg Football Club.
“When we began this journey seven years ago, we aimed at improving all aspects of the municipal court,” Bledsoe said. “As I stand here today, I believe we have accomplished much of what we aimed to do.
“With that said, the court is only as good as its staff, and I know our court is blessed to have an amazing and talented staff. Now, I take it as my mission to improve on what Judge Curry has put into place, and we will continue our mission to be the best court in Mississippi by being fair, open, trustworthy, innovative and efficient.”
Polk-Payton has served in legal practice for 26 years, including 13 years as a Forrest County justice court judge and four years as a Hattiesburg municipal court judge. Her career includes advocacy roles in the Forrest County and Perry County public defender’s offices and the 12th Judicial District drug court.
Polk-Payton holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law, a Master’s Degree in Business from the University of New Orleans, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and has served as a Commissioner for the Mississippi Bar Association.
She is also recognized for her community contributions, receiving numerous awards including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major of Justice Award.
“I could not be more proud to represent my city,” Polk-Payton said. “This is my home – I was born and raised here, I am a Hattiesburg High Tiger and USM alum.
“So I am so proud to serve my city in this city, and … we want to make sure that we have an efficient and fair court that serves all of the members of our community, all of our citizens.”
Conville’s career includes serving as Forrest County Prosecutor, City of Hattiesburg Municipal Court Prosecutor and extensive private practice.
Conville holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law, graduating summa cum laude, and a Bachelor of Arts from Emory University. Conville is actively involved in the community, serving on the Hattiesburg Public Library Board of Trustees and the Pine Belt Community Foundation.
She was honored as Hattiesburg Woman of Impact for the American Heart Association in 2023 and has raised significant funds for the Go-Red Campaign.
“It is truly on honor to return to a place that taught me, when I was a (new) lawyer, what it meant to be a public defender, a prosecutor, and watch the judges that I worked with at that time,” Conville said. “I’m looking so forward to joining this team of fine judges to ensure that Hattiesburg remains a place that we know is safe for all of our citizens, (and) safe to every person that comes through the court.”
Reeves appointed Curry to the 12th Circuit on May 31. He takes over for judge Jon Mark Weathers, who recently announced his retirement from the position.
