Pat Finney ready to retire after long career in the legal world

Pat Finney (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Order this photo]

"It's been a very difficult decision," she told the Times-Gazette, "because I love my job." But she cited Ecclesiastes 3:1, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven," noting that her first grandchild is due in September and that she and her husband Bob would like to travel.

Finney took over the office from her brother, Howard Barton, in 1997; she had worked as a deputy in the office prior to that, and prior to that she worked for attorney Lee Russell, now a circuit judge, and his father, the late William S. Russell, a retired appeals court judge.

Chancellor J.B. Cox will announce Finney's successor this week.

"I wish the incoming clerk the very best," she said in a written statement. "...I would like to thank my office staff for their outstanding service to me and to our community at large. I appreciate their efficiency and their dedication to excellence. They are all very special to me, as is my relationship with the local bar, the Chancellor and his secretary, and my court officers."

Chancery Court handles primarily civil matters, such as lawsuits and divorces. The Chancery Court judge is known as chancellor.

"The legal community has been my extended family," she said in the statement, "and each one of them has blessed my life in some way. I will miss them all."

Finney is a certified legal assistant, a member of the Tennessee Clerks of Court Association and the County Officials Association of Tennessee.

She's also a member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church; a member of the Community Clinic of Bedford County board; a member of Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce and a former member of its beautification committee; and a member of Shelbyville Woman's Club. She was president of her Leadership Bedford class in 2006 and a former member of the Leadership Bedford board of directors; a past vice-president and senior citizens day event director of Bedford County Fair. She was listed in the 2005-2006 Honors Edition of Empire Who's Who of Executives, Professionals and Entrepreneurs.

She and her husband have a son, Jason. Both Bob and Jason are brokers with Wayne Neese Realty & Auction; Bob is a former water superintendent for Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewerage System.

Finney loves walking horses, University of Alabama football, history, antiques and traveling.