Doug Overbey was administered the oath of office to become U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee on Tuesday by Thomas A Varlan, Chief United States District Judge. He was nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate to serve in this position.
“I am deeply appreciative to Senators Alexander and Corker for recommending me to the President and to President Trump for nominating me to the office. I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Tennessee in this position and working with the dedicated people in the U.S.
Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Overbey.
As U.S. Attorney, Overbey is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the Eastern District of Tennessee, which is the largest federal district in Tennessee, with a population of over 2.6 million, encompassing 41 of the 95 counties, and spanning 420 miles. He oversees a staff of attorneys and non-attorney support personnel in the Knoxville headquarters office, as well as two branch offices in Chattanooga and Greeneville.
The U.S. Attorney’s office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms, and narcotics. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.
U.S. Attorney Overbey, a resident of Maryville, received his undergraduate degree from Carson-Newman College, graduated first in his class from the University of Tennessee, College of Law and has practiced law for 38 years. In 1982, he co-founded the law firm of Robertson Overbey where he was the senior partner.
Prior to his appointment as U.S. Attorney, he 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. He served on the Finance and Health Committees in both the House and Senate, was Chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee and the General Assembly’s Arts Caucus, and Vice-Chairman of the Senate Finance and Judiciary Committees.
His many awards include the 2009 Law & Liberty Award from the Knoxville Bar Association for his contribution to the advancement and protection of law through liberty, the 2011 Community Leadership Award from Leadership Blount for more than three decades of community service, and the 2011 Bud Cramer Award from the National Children’s Alliance for his steadfast advocacy of children’s issues. In 2013, he was selected as a member of the CSG Toll Fellows Class and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from his alma mater, Carson-Newman University.
Overbey has also been a frequent lecturer for continuing legal education programs, including 16 years presenting the Knoxville Bar Association’s annual Legislative Update, served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Tennessee College of Law, and had two articles published in the Anglican Digest.