Rebecca Lee

Rebecca V. Lee is the 4th Judicial District Public Defender, serving Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier Counties. Rebecca was appointed to this position in January 2021 by Governor Bill Lee after zealously advocating for the constitutional rights of the citizens in her community as Assistant Public Defender. ‍ Prior to the appointment, Rebecca served the citizens of the district as an Assistant Public Defender, fulfilling the 5th and 6th Amendments, which guarantee every citizen the assistance of legal counsel in criminal cases. Her passion for securing the freedoms guaranteed by the United Constitution drives her to continually ensure that a person’s financial status does not dictate the quality of the legal representation he receives. Therefore, Rebecca and her office vigorously represent clients against government overreach, impacting all of our rights, and ensures that the government is punishing up the right person. Further, Rebecca supports alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders, which reduces costs to taxpayers, reduces recidivism, and promotes reentry into society as productive citizens. Prior to serving as an Assistant Public Defender, Rebecca was a Judicial Clerk for Chief Justice Gary Wade on the Tennessee Supreme Court. She also serves in her community on the Fourth Judicial District Drug Recovery Court Board of Directors. She is a member of the Jefferson County Republican Party, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Sevier 100+ Women Who Care. Before attending law school, Rebecca taught math at Cosby High School in Cosby, Tennessee. Rebecca received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Lincoln Memorial University – Duncan School of Law. She excelled in her legal coursework, achieving the highest grade overall in fifteen classes and graduating number one in her class in 2013. Rebecca resides in Dandridge with her husband Paul “P.K” Lee. Her family attends Crossroads Community Church in Newport.