Welcome to the Knox County Law Director's web site. The Mission Statement of the Knox County Law Director's Office sets forth the Law Director's general duties as established by the Knox County Charter, and the aspirational goals of all the attorneys and support staff who serve in the Law Director’s office.
The Law Director's office is charged with handling all of the civil legal affairs of Knox County, which includes advising and representing the Mayor, County Commission, the Sherriff, the Board of Education, the County Clerk, the Register of Deeds, the Trustee, the Property Assessor, the various Clerks of Court, and all other departments of county government. The office consists of eight attorneys, including the Law Director, the Chief Deputy Law Director and six Deputy Law Directors. The attorneys are ably assisted by a certified paralegal, a full time investigator and six administrative assistants. These dedicated professionals diligently apply themselves in order to provide the highest degree of professional legal representation to Knox County government, thereby benefiting all the citizens of Knox County. All those who work and serve in the Knox County Law Director's Office consider it an honor and privilege to do so.
Bill Lockett is a Knox County native. He graduated from West High School and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Mr. Lockett then graduated from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, where he was on the Law Review, the Executive Board of Moot Court, selected for membership in the Order of Barristers, and elected President of the Tennessee Student Bar Association. After graduating from Law School, Mr. Lockett clerked for Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Ray Brock in Nashville. Before being elected to the position of Law Director, Mr. Lockett was engaged in the private practice of law in Knoxville for 25 years. Mr. Lockett has appeared in state and federal courtrooms from Memphis to Nashville to Tri-Cities.
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: On September 3, 2008, new Knox County Law Director Bill Lockett gave a presentation to new county commission members on the Open Meetings Act, the Public Records Law and the Knox County Ethics Policy. While the orientation was geared to new county commission members, all public officials were welcomed and many attended. Mr. Lockett stressed the importance of public officials complying with both the letter and spirit of these safeguards, and discussed their impact in promoting the confidence of the people in their elected officials.
