New pick for Hamilton County attorney unveiled as next steps explained

Janie Parks Varnell, Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp’s nominee for county attorney to replace longtime attorney Rheubin Taylor.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp has formally announced who he wants to be the next county attorney.

This after two years of a legal back and forth between him and the current county attorney, Rheubin Taylor.

We reported Friday a series of private meetings took place between a prospective candidate for the Hamilton County attorney position, and Hamilton County Commissioners.

We have since learned that only three commissioners (Lee Helton, Gene-O Shipley, and Joe Graham) actually came to those one on one meetings.

Now, Mayor Wamp has announced he will formally nominate attorney Janie Parks Vanell, who currently works at the Davis and Hoss Law Firm as counsel, as his nominee for county attorney.

Varnell said, “I have always wanted to be in public service, I’ve looked for every opportunity I can find.”

Varnell says she has represented numerous local law enforcement in various cases, and has the endorsement of Fraternal Order of Police.

This is something Mayor Wamp says is valuable considering the county attorney works closely with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and wants to begin the transition process.

Mayor Wamp said, “We want to give plenty of time for County Commissioners, constitutional officers particularly the Sheriff’s Office, which Janie is already very familiar but we want to give ample time for the transition to take place, for trust to be built. But really given the considerations of the county attorney’s office, the case load, Janie Parks Varnell is the perfect candidate.”

Mayor Wamp attempted to replace the sitting attorney Taylor when he took office in 2022.

He cited concerns about Taylor conducting private legal work during county business hours, something he reiterated Monday.

Mayor Wamp said, “In 1993 when Rheubin Taylor took office, it was acceptable to do private business alongside county work, something that has been unveiled to have continued for years.”

That effort ultimately failed when a judge ruled Attorney Taylor had to be allowed to serve out the remainder of his contract, which at the end of June 2025.

However, in that ruling, that judge did rule that Mayor Wamp does have the authority to appoint an attorney when there’s not one under contract.

Mayor Wamp said, “Rheubin’s contract does not have an extension clause… The county commission does not have the authority to extend Rheubin’s contract, so that’s not an option here.”

He also said that the private meeting that took place Friday were one on one meeting and just one of the initial steps of the process.

Mayor Wamp said, “As long as they are not deliberating among each other, there’s no violation of the Sunshine Law. It was just come by this office at this time to meet Janie Varnell.”

As it pertains to the leak, Mayor Wamp commented that he believes “All but one commissioner is in support of a smooth transition, which is what we are setting out to do. We are seeking out their input and feedback throughout this process.”

He added that it is time for a new voice, as “This county does not support lifetime appointments, whether it’s for Rheubin Taylor or for myself.”

Controversy aside, Varnell says she is looking forward to the opportunity to serve in this position.

Varnell said, “A large portion of the active litigation of the Hamilton County Attorney’s Office is defense of the Sheriff’s Office, and I’ve been doing that work over the last decade, so I come into this office with that confidence that I know exactly how to do that.”

Varnell will be introduced formally on Wednesday at the Hamilton County Commission meeting.

A vote to approve is scheduled for next week.