[1] Parker began his legal career as an associate at Waring Cox Lawyers in Memphis, Tennessee.

He then served as an assistant United States attorney in the Western District of Tennessee for nine years.

Before becoming a federal judge, he was a shareholder in the Memphis office of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C., where he represented clients in civil litigation and criminal matters.

Additionally, he previously served as president of the Memphis Bar Association and is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers.

[5] On January 9, 2018, the United States Senate invoked cloture on his nomination by a 96–1 vote.