TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jul 31, 2025

Ray Whitley, the state’s longest-serving district attorney, will retire on Sept. 1 after 45 years as Sumner County’s top prosecutor, the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference has announced. Whitley began his legal career in 1971 as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Nashville. He later moved to Sumner County and joined the district attorney’s office. He was appointed to lead the office in 1980, and has been re-elected five times. He also has served two terms as president of the conference and has been instrumental in guiding statewide policies, training and legislative engagement on public safety. Read about his reflections on his career in a news release from the conference. Gov. Bill Lee’s office is accepting applications through Aug. 4 to fill the position.