Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper announced that Associate Chief Deputy Lucy Honey Haynes will be the new chief deputy attorney general. Chief Deputy Haynes will fill the position vacated by former Chief Deputy Andy Bennett, who was appointed to the Court of Appeals last fall.
"I am delighted that Lucy will bring her considerable legal and management skills to this important position," Attorney General Cooper said in his announcement. "In her role as associate chief deputy, Lucy has been an important member of the office's executive team. More importantly, her good judgment has made her a valuable adviser to attorneys and staff throughout the office."
Chief Deputy Haynes said following her appointment, "It has been a privilege to work with the dedicated attorneys and staff in this office. I appreciate and look forward to this new opportunity."
General Cooper also announced that Ruth Thompson, who has been serving as senior counsel assisting the associate chief deputy, has been promoted to the position of deputy attorney general in charge of the administrative division.
A native of Fayetteville, Tn., Chief Deputy Haynes is a graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Law. She joined the attorney general's office in 1987 as managing attorney before becoming deputy of the administrative division. She was named associate chief deputy in 1997. Chief Deputy Haynes previously served as deputy commissioner in the Department of Labor and as deputy legal director for Metro Nashville.