Joshua A. Wallis

Family Law Attorney

For the majority of his legal career, Joshua A. Wallis has worked exclusively on domestic and family law cases, including cases involving divorce, child custody, child visitation, alimony, child support, protective orders, termination, adoption, and child relocation.

Before that, he worked at an insurance defense firm, handling personal injury and subrogation litigation defense. Although originally from Missouri, Josh has spent most of his life in Memphis and loves this city.

He enjoys traveling with his husband and family, their dogs, movies, and eating meals prepared by others because he cannot cook to save his life. Before attending law school, he worked as a professional actor and performed in numerous theater companies, including in the Northeast and Midwest.

Josh Wallis is the former chair of the Memphis Bar Association LGBTQ+ & Ally Section and previously served on the Executive Committee for the LGBTQ+ Section of the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA).

Josh also previously chaired the CLE Committee for the Memphis Bar Association for two years, served on the TBA’s Diversity Task Force, and chaired the board for the Family Law Section of the Memphis Bar Association (2011-2013).

He has been elected to the board of the Memphis Bar Association twice and served on its Executive Committee.

Education

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theater Performance) from The University of Memphis in 2000 (magna cum
    laude).
  • Juris Doctor from The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 2008 (cum laude).
  • National Institute for Trial Advocacy Trial Skills training in June 2024

Positions Held

Board Member of Friends of Georges.

Barrister Member of the Leo Bearman, Sr. American Inn of Court (2020 – 2024).

Outstanding Barrister 2022-2023

Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law (TBALL) Class of 2018.

Law Clerk for the Honorable Donna M. Fields, Judge of Division Seven of the Circuit Court of Tennessee for the Thirtieth Judicial District (2007 – 2008).

Associate Editor of the “The University of Memphis Law Review” (2006 – 2008).

Presented numerous CLEs on subjects including family law and laws affecting the LGBTQ+ community.

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

  • Tennessee Law License: 2008.
  • Mississippi Law License: 2014.
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi: 2021.

Associations and Memberships

  • Memphis Bar Association.
  • Tennessee Bar Association.
  • Mississippi Bar Association.
douglass runger josh a wallis attorney

Practice Areas by Josh

Child Adoption
Adoption is about more than legal steps — it’s about creating a loving home and building your family’s future with confidence and peace of mind.
douglass runger map pin icon arrow right blue
Alimony
Alimony helps provide financial support after divorce, ensuring stability and fairness. Douglass & Runger works to secure a fair arrangement for you.
douglass runger map pin icon arrow right blue
Child Custody
Child custody is about creating a stable, loving environment for your child. Douglass & Runger helps you make sure your child’s best interests come first.
douglass runger map pin icon arrow right blue
Child Support
Memphis Child Support Attorney assisting parents with child support matters in Tennessee to ensure fair and accurate support calculations in divorce or custody cases.
douglass runger map pin icon arrow right blue
Child Support Modification
A Child Support Modification adjusts your existing support order to match life’s changes — ensuring your child’s needs are met while keeping the arrangement fair and manageable for everyone involved.
douglass runger map pin icon arrow right blue
Conservatorship
Conservatorship ensures your loved one is cared for when they need it most. It’s about providing protection, stability, and peace of mind for their future.
douglass runger map pin icon arrow right blue

Recent Blogs

Douglass & Runger, PLLC – Bartlett’s Best Family Law Attorneys Honored with 2025 Quality Business Award

Douglass & Runger, PLLC, earns the 2025 Quality Business Award as Bartlett, Tennessee’s top family law attorneys. Discover why their expertise, compassion, and commitment to excellence make them the trusted choice for divorce, custody, and family legal matters.

What Affects Child Custody – Keeping the Best Interests of the Child

When we typically think of child custody, many people believe it means choosing whose roof the child will live under. But that isn't all there is to it! There are different meanings to the word "custody" in the context of the law.

Prenup Laws in Tennessee – What Couples Should Know

A prenuptial agreement can provide financial clarity and security for both spouses. Understanding Tennessee’s prenup laws ensures your agreement is fair, enforceable, and protects your assets.

Moving Forward Together – A Guide to Successful Co-Parenting – Post Divorce

Divorce marks a new chapter of co-parenting. Learn how to foster healthy communication and collaboration. Prioritize your children’s well-being by setting aside differences and focusing on their needs. Create a shared calendar to coordinate schedules and respect boundaries for a civil, child-focused environment.

Attorneys

Curtis Runger

Founder & CEO

Campbell Lewis

Estate & Probate Attorney

Matthew Rhoads

Estate & Probate Attorney

Jonathan Collins

Family Law Attorney

Jodi Bishop-Runger

“Of Counsel” Attorney

Staff

Brooke Crawford

Director of Operations

Ainsley Pettit

Client Engagement Specialist

Lee Clement

Intake Specialist

Bridget Lee

Intake Specialist

Angela Porter

Billing Specialist

Kacie Dunn

Paralegal

Crystal McDaniel

Paralegal

Chris Knudsen

Paralegal

Whitney Vinson

Paralegal

Andres Chavez

Metrics Coordinator

Deepti Jeram

Marketing Assistant

At Douglass & Runger, PLLC, we have represented clients in personal injury cases, family law disputes, probate cases, and have helped clients form business entities (and more). We use this experience to help our clients whose needs are often complex and encompass various areas of the law.

Our clients are not just clients – they are vital members of the legal team. They set the objectives and goals: we help them achieve those goals through dedicated and aggressive legal advocacy. We work to ensure our clients understand the nature of the legal proceedings, the steps involving in achieving a resolution, and the options they have available to them. Our attorneys and support staff are only a phone call away.

First impressions can serve as powerful predictors of the future. You should carefully consider whether to hire a lawyer who makes you feel unsettled or uneasy. Once that lawyer is involved in your case, obtaining another lawyer takes additional time and resources and delays the resolution of your case. When the seasoned attorneys at Douglass & Runger, PLLC, Attorneys at Law, meet with you, we do our best to showcase our experience, our knowledge, our interpersonal skills, and our promptness in answering your questions and achieving results for you. We want you to feel comfortable and confident with our representation of you.