Sam Elliott Named Chair-Elect of Tennessee Bar Foundation

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

Sam Elliott, a member of the firm, recently was confirmed as chair-elect of the Tennessee Bar Foundation’s Board of Trustees at the Foundation’s annual meeting in Memphis in June. He will serve a one-year term, and succeed to the chairmanship in June 2025. 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 has previously announced 2024 grants totaling $3,000,000, to support 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 was also recently notified of his appointment by Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton to the reorganized Tennessee Historical Commission. Sam has served on the Commission since 2005 and was the chairman from 2009 to 2015. He is an avocational historian of Tennessee during the Civil War and has had several books, essays and articles published, including award-winning biographies of Isham G. Harris and John C. Brown.

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.