All candidates with contested races in the 2026 Tennessee Bar Association election have been provided the opportunity of preparing a campaign message to be shared with members. Below are the messages from Knoxville attorney Mary Elizabeth Maddox and Johnson City attorney Deborah Yeomans-Barton who are running for vice president. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.

Mary Elizabeth Maddox

My law practice began in Tennessee over 30 years ago and has focused on general civil litigation. I have appeared in courts and administrative tribunals in more than 50 counties and grew up living in all three Grand Divisions of Tennessee. I understand the diverse practices within the TBA, and as TBA President my goal would be to foster collegiality and camaraderie across the state. 

In 2002, I served as President of the Knoxville Bar Association Barristers. After completing the TBA Leadership Law (TBALL) program in 2007, I joined the TBALL steering committee and later co chaired it several times. Since 2016, I have served on the TBA Board of Governors as Associate General Counsel, as an elected East Tennessee Governor, and am now in my third year as Treasurer.

My firm biography shares more about my community service and law practice at fmsllp.com, and I welcome you to reach out to connect. I would be honored to have your vote and to continue serving you on the Board.
 

Deborah Yeomans-Barton

I began my career with Legal Aid of East Tennessee in 1989, not knowing it would lead me to ask for your vote to serve as Vice President of the Tennessee Bar Association—and to potentially become the first Legal Aid attorney to hold this role.

For 36 years I’ve represented low-income Tennesseans in matters including family law, domestic violence bankruptcy, housing, and special education. I’ve taught paralegal courses, supervised law students, led successful efforts to improve access to orders of protection, and trained judges, clerks, and advocates statewide.

My work has been recognized with the TBA’s Public Service Attorney of the Year Award and the Tennessee Coalition’s Advocate of the Year Award. I’ve served as Managing Attorney and now Deputy Director of Legal Aid of East Tennessee, and on the TBA Board of Governors since 2017. Access to justice remains Tennessee’s greatest challenge, and I am committed to championing it as Vice President. I respectfully ask for your support.