Half a Century of Excellence: GPEC Celebrates Firm’s 50th Anniversary

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

July 1, 2024 is the fiftieth anniversary of the start of our law firm, Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC. For fifty years, our lawyers have served our clients, our profession and our community. Growing from our first three founding members to now number fourteen lawyers, we have successfully guided our clients through a wide range of legal matters, representing individuals, estates, foundations, businesses and governments.


Our lawyers have been in leadership at almost every level of the legal profession, including the Tennessee Bar Association, Chattanooga Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Division, American Bar Association, Chattanooga Bar Foundation, Tennessee Bar Foundation, Chattanooga Tax Practitioners and the Estate Planning Council. Two have served as president of the Tennessee Bar Association, and three as president of the Chattanooga Bar Association. Demonstrating the esteem of fellow members of the legal profession, members of the firm have been honored as fellows of the American Bar Foundation, Tennessee Bar Foundation, Chattanooga Bar Foundation and the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers. Our lawyers have also participated in our local American Inns of Court and Southeast Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women. Six have been designated as Mid-South Super Lawyers, two as Super Lawyers Rising Stars, and four among the Best Lawyers in America.



Reflecting involvement in the community, several of our lawyers have engaged in various non-profit activities, including Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Girls Inc. of Chattanooga, McKamey Animal Center, the University of Chattanooga Foundation, the McCallie School, St. Nicholas School, North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy, Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association, Friends of the Park, Bethel Bible Village, University of Tennessee Alumni Association Board of Governors and the Tennessee Historical Commission. Our lawyers have served in the leadership of their various churches, and several provide pro bono legal work for Legal Aid of East Tennessee and other charitable organizations.

Commenting on the occasion, founding member Wayne Peters said, "It is with great pride that we celebrate our fiftieth anniversary. Our firm has zealously and effectively served our clients, while maintaining a family friendly atmosphere for our attorneys and staff. With a great blend of older and younger lawyers, we look forward to many more years of practice together."

David McDowell was elected to serve as the Vice President of the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Fellows

July 10, 2025
At the 144th Annual Tennessee Bar Association Convention, David McDowell was elected to serve as the Vice President of the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Fellows, and began another term of service as the East Tennessee Governor on the Tennessee Bar Association Board of Governors.

Longtime Legal Leader Sam D. Elliott Takes Helm of Tennessee Bar Foundation

July 10, 2025
On July 1, 2025, Sam D. Elliott, a member of the firm, assumed the chairmanship of the Tennessee Bar Foundation Board of Trustees. A member of the Board since 2019, Sam will serve a one-year term as chairman. The Tennessee Bar Foundation was established in 1982. Its mission is to administer Tennessee’s IOLTA (Interest On Lawyers’ Trust Accounts) program, honor distinguished attorneys as "Fellows," and support law-related public interest projects. The IOLTA program supports Tennessee’s Legal Aid programs and other non-profit organizations which provide legal services to the poor and/or work to improve the administration of justice. Sam is a former president of the Tennessee and Chattanooga Bar Associations and also currently serves as Chairman of the Tennessee Historical Commission.