Faculty Profile: J. Overbey

On Tuesday, November 21, 2017, J. Douglas Overbey was administered the oath of office to become U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee, by the Honorable Thomas A Varlan, Chief United States District Judge. Overbey was nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate to serve in this position.  Overbey served as U.S. Attorney until February 28, 2021.  On March 29, 2021, Overbey rejoined in an "Of Counsel" role the law firm he co-founded in 1982, now known as Owings, Wilson & Coleman, formerly Robertson Overbey.  
Overbey received his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Carson-Newman College in 1976 and graduated first in his class from the University of Tennessee, College of Law, in 1979, where he was named to the Order of the Coif. Overbey has practiced law for 41 years.
Prior to his appointment as U.S. Attorney, Overbey was serving his third term in the Tennessee State Senate, representing Blount and Sevier counties. From 2000 to 2008, he represented a portion of Blount County in the House of Representatives.