U.S. Attorney position being eyed

Prominent Nashville attorney says he wants job if it becomes available

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

Prominent Nashville attorney Bill Farmer tells NashvillePost.com that should the position of U.S. Attorney become open in the near future, he'd like the job.

The post of U.S. Attorney is appointed by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee is Ed Yarbrough, an appointee of President George W. Bush.

While Yarbrough has expressed interest in staying in the job, tradition holds that when an administration changes parties, the office changes hands, too. There is no timeline when such a transition would occur; it could be soon, six months from now, or even further down the road.

Farmer tells NashvillePost.com, "I have expressed an interest in the United States Attorney position. I have vast experience in the federal courts in Nashville, serving as both assistant United States attorney and the Federal Public Defender. I have been practicing law long enough to have acquired the judgment and common sense necessary to do the job."

Currently a partner at the Nashville firm of Farmer & Luna, Farmer also sits on the Tennessee Judicial Selection Commission and the board of the Tennessee Justice Center. He is a former law partner of ex-Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell.

Other names being kicked around town should the position come open are Bass Berry & Sims attorney Brant Phillips, and Barrett Johnston & Parsley's Jerry Martin. Phillips could also be in line for consideration for a spot on the U.S. District Court for Middle Tennesse while Martin's name is mentioned as a possible candidate for U.S. Congress if that spot becomes open.