Clinton city judge running for Anderson County chancellor

Michael Farley, a local attorney and Clinton city judge, is seeking election as Anderson County chancellor.

The seat is now held by William E. Lantrip, who is retiring at the end of his term.

Farley is a Clinton native who graduated from Clinton High School in 1988. He obtained both his bachelor’s degree in business administration and Doctor of Jurisprudence degrees from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Farley is also a graduate of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, where he graduated first in his class, receiving the “Most Outstanding Officer Award.”

Prior to earning his law degree, Farley worked for both the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and the Clinton Police Department, where he also served as a volunteer firefighter. Farley has served the City of Clinton as a council member, and while serving, he donated his council salary to the Clinton City Schools.

Farley was appointed Clinton City Judge in February 2006 and has served as judge since that time. During his term as city judge, he has streamlined the court process, reduced the amount of time officers spend in court and saved the city thousands of dollars in court-related expenses, a press release said.

Farley has practiced law in Anderson County for 17 years. He began his legal career as an investigator and law clerk at Joyce, Meredith, Flitcroft, and Normand and Ridenour, Ridenour and Fox. After graduating law school, he became an associate attorney, where he mentored under Ronald H. Ridenour at the Ridenour Law Firm. In 2003, he and Bruce Fox formed the law firm of Fox and Farley Law. Farley has practiced extensively in Chancery Court, as well as all the state courts of Anderson County and surrounding counties.

During the majority of his life, Farley has been in public service and is very involved in the local community, the press release said. He has served on the board of directors of Melton Hill Regional Industrial Development Association. He currently serves as vice president of the Anderson County Fair Association, where he has volunteered for more than 10 years. Farley has been a significant contributor to the Clinton Dragon Athletic Program and local Optimist sports, where he has also served as a basketball coach.

“I feel that my 17 years of experience with the courts in Anderson County, along with my eight years of experience as a Clinton city judge, have prepared me to accept the responsibility that comes with the office of chancellor,” Farley said in the release. “I have always had a passion for this court and seek the office of chancellor with a commitment to providing a court with the experience, impartiality, and fairness that the citizens of Anderson County deserve.”

Farley lives in Clinton and has two children, Raegan and Maison. He and his daughters are members of Grace Baptist Church, where his daughters attend Grace Christian Academy.

You may contact Farley at [email protected].