Faculty Profile: Vance Cheek Jr

Education:

Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Tennessee College of Law, 1990.  (Graduated at age22);

Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude, East Tennessee State University, 1987.  (Graduated atage 19);

               Diploma, Science Hill High School, 1983.  (Graduated at age 15).

Professional Experience:

Chief Operating Officer, Stableconvergence, LLC.  Stableconvergence, LLC is an IT Company in which I was a partner, designed to meet the networking needs of commercial and residential clients of all sizes.  Through competitive pricing, we provide implementation solutions, back-up resources, disaster recovery and specific network administration of all data necessary to a client’s growth, stability and success.

I am responsible for the daily operations of the Company, report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and marshal all resources available to maximize the productivity of the Company.  I develop organizational strategies, implement the Company Mission Statement, and establish appropriate corrective practices to align personnel with company goals.

Administrative Law Judge, Tennessee Department of State, Administrative Procedures Division, April 1, 2009 – September 2, 2011, Docketed and heard proceedings in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act regarding personal, commercial and industrial property tax appeals from all 95 counties in the State.  The Office demands knowledge of tax and taxation; finance, Banking Law, extensive travel, time-management and writing of Initial Decisions and Orders.  100% of the work involved litigation, administrative hearings and mediation.

Supreme Court of the State of Tennessee, Jurist Applicant, June 2008 – September 2008; Qualified for and sought nomination as Jurist Applicant for appointment to the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Attorney, Of Counsel, Attorney, Of Counsel, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C., November 2006 – March 2008; Of Counsel with the largest law firm in the Southeast with practice with emphasis on Corporate Law and Transactions, Labor and Employment law, Litigation, Public Policy/Government Relations, and Alternative Dispute Resolution..

Candidate for United States Congress – Tennessee’s First Congressional District, April 2006 – August 2006; Candidate.  Conducted campaign for the Republican nomination for United States Congress.  Finished 5^th in 12 person Primary. 

Commissioner of Claims (Judge of Specific Jurisdiction), Commissioner of Claims (Judge of Specific Jurisdiction), State of Tennessee, Eastern Grand Division, July 2001 – April 2006; Appointed for term of eight (8) years expiring June 30, 2009. Cabinet Level Commissioner which serves the judicial capacity of a circuit court judge with specific jurisdiction confined to claims made against the State of Tennessee.  100% of the work dealt with simple to complex litigation.  The Claims Commission is tied umbilicaly to the State Treasurer’s Department.

Elected Chair of Commission, March 2, 2004;

Attorney and Shareholder, Cheek & Wheeler, PLC, 1994 – 2001; Private practice with emphasis in Corporate Law and Corporate Transactions, Business Counseling, Estate Planning, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Civil Litigation;

Associate Attorney,Jack L. Myers & Associates, 1991 – 1994; Began the practice of law at age 23 at firm which served as general counsel to Home Federal Bank, FSB.  Practiced Banking Law, Corporate Law, Estate Planning and Civil Defense Litigation.

Admitted to practice:

All Tennessee State Courts – 1991;

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee – 1991;

United States Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit – 1994;

United States Tax Court – 1998;

The Supreme Court of the United States – 1999;

Lobbyist, Approved by and registered through the Tennessee Ethics Commission – 2007 -2009.

Dual Mediator, Listed by the Tennessee Supreme Court pursuant to the Rules of the Supreme Court of Tennessee Rule 31 – January 29, 1998 through present.

Mediation training:

General Civil Mediation Training sponsored by Private Dispute Resolution, Inc. and the University of Tennessee (Chattanooga) -- 1997.

General Family Mediation Training sponsored by Jean Monroe & Associates (Knoxville) –2012

Conducted hundreds of mediations over the past 14 years involving a plethora of legal and personal issues.