Melanie Sellers

Melanie Sellers is a proud native of Oakdale, Tennessee, where she graduated from Oakdale High School. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health from East Tennessee State University, graduating summa cum laude as the top graduate of the College of Public and Allied Health. Melanie continued her education at the University of Tennessee College of Law, where she graduated cum laude with a concentration in trial advocacy. During law school, she was an active member of the National Trial Team and served as Chair of the Moot Court Board. Since becoming licensed in 1997, Melanie has dedicated her career to criminal law, with over twelve years as an Assistant District Attorney and more than fourteen years as an Assistant Public Defender. In 2025, she was appointed by Governor Bill Lee to serve as the First Judicial District Public Defender, following the retirement of her longtime friend and mentor, Jeff Kelly. Melanie is particularly passionate about advocating for individuals facing challenges such as substance use disorder, mental illness, or intellectual disabilities. She has been an active member of the First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court since its inception in 2017 and currently serves on the Northeast Tennessee Residential Recovery Court, which she joined in 2023. Outside of her professional endeavors, Melanie is married to her husband, Rob, and she is the proud parent of two sons. She has long been involved in youth sports, serving on the boards of several local organizations, including the Carter County National League, the Cyclone Touchdown Club, and the Cyclone Wrestling Booster Club. Additionally, Melanies served for five years as a Commissioner on the Elizabethton Regional Planning Commission.