Faculty Profile: Carolyn Chumney

Carol Chumney received her J.D. from the University of Memphis School of Law and was Editor-in- Chief of the law review. She clerked for Judge Harry Wellford on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. She served as President of the Memphis Federal Bar Association. Chumney earned a partnership at Glankler Brown law firm where she practiced for 16 years. She also was an elected Tennessee State Representative for 13 years, including serving as House Majority Whip and Chair of the House Children & Family Affairs Committee. Chumney was elected and served for 4 years on the Memphis City Council. With 34 years of private practice, she is now the owner of Carol Chumney Law PLLC, and also a Shelby County Deputy Divorce Referee. Chumney was previously appointed to serve on the Tennessee Supreme Court Commission on foster care, and on gender fairness. Over her career, she has received numerous awards, including for Outstanding Service by the Association for Women Attorneys. She was the counsel for the election security lawsuit, Shelby Advocates for Valid Elections, et al v. Hargett, etal, 947 F. 3d 977 (6th Cir. 2020), cert. denied, S.Ct. 2020 WL 5882333 (2020). She is the author of The Arena: One Woman’s Story (Lady Justice Publishing December 2020).