The Southeast Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women recognized Hamilton County Chancellor Pamela Fleenor as the recipient of its 2023 Lioness of the Bar honor at a reception on Sept. 8 at The Westin Chattanooga.
Hamilton County Clerk and Master Robin Miller, SETLAW’s 2021 Lioness, cited Fleenor’s adherence to the rules, well-researched opinions and “impressive” record with the Court of Appeals as factors in SETLAW’s selection of Fleenor for its Lioness of the Bar distinction.
“Chancellor Fleenor loves the law [and] being fair and impartial,” Miller said while providing remarks during the Lioness of the Bar ceremony. “[In addition], she’s used her knowledge and leadership skills to give back to the bar both locally and statewide.”
Fleenor said she was humbled to receive the award, as the list of previous honorees – which also include the late Selma Cash Paty (2014), Virginia Love (2015), the Hon. Marie Williams (2016), Marcy Eason (2017) Tonya Cammon (2018), Magistrate Judge Susan Lee (2019) and Flossie Weill (2020) – are all distinguished women whom she admires.
“I love my job and am honored to serve the good people of Hamilton County,” Fleenor added.
Fleenor graduated magna cum laude from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and earned her law degree at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She began practicing in 1986.
Fleenor initially worked as a litigator, most recently at Duncan, Hatcher, Hixson & Fleenor. She was elected to serve as chancellor in 2014. Since then, Fleenor has served as president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference, an organization made up of state trial court and appellate judges.
Fleenor has also served as an adjunct faculty member at UTC and been involved with numerous local legal, charitable and professional organizations.