Elliott Recipient of Awards

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

On October 11, 2018, Sam Elliott was awarded the 2018 Justices Brock and Cooper American Inns of Court Civility Award, which recognizes extraordinary civility among local lawyers.   The award is conferred based on a vote of local state and federal judges.

On October 26, 2018, Sam was awarded the Chief Justice William M. Barker Equal Access to Justice Award by Legal Aid of East Tennessee.  The award is selected by members of LAET’s Pro Bono Lawyers Chattanooga Hall of Fame, and recognizes an attorney who has made a significant contribution to advancing the cause of access to justice in Tennessee.   Sam has been a member of the Pro Bono Hall of Fame since 2012.

Legal Aid Of East Tennessee’s 60th Anniversary Honors Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon PLLC As Pro Bono Firm of the Year

October 24, 2025
At Legal Aid of East Tennessee’s 60th Anniversary celebration on October 23, Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC was honored as the organization’s Pro Bono Firm of the Year.  Member Sam Elliott said: "Many lawyers in our firm have supported the efforts of Legal Aid of East Tennessee and other pro bono initiatives through the years, either directly providing pro bono services through LAET, through financial contributions to LAET or other worthy organizations, or through the Chattanooga Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, or the Tennessee Bar Foundation. We are humbled to be recognized in such a significant way."

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.