Overview
Herbert H. Slatery III held the position of Tennessee Attorney General from October 2014 through August 2022 on appointment by the Tennessee Supreme Court where he gained national recognition through his service as the top legal officer for the state. Among his many accomplishments, General Slatery co-led the multistate investigation of three opioid distributors and one opioid manufacturer which resulted in the second largest civil settlement in U.S. history. As Attorney General, Slatery managed the law practices and operations of an office with over 350 positions, an approximate $56 million budget, 16 divisions by subject matter expertise, and several thousand cases filed by and against the State and state officials.
Slatery served as Counsel to Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam from January 2011 to October 2014. In this position he directed legal affairs for the Governor; managed, drafted, and testified on significant legislation including bills addressing tort reform, a constitutional amendment on judicial appointments, and civil service reform; and designed and oversaw a process for appointing appellate judges.
Prior to January 2011, Slatery was a Shareholder with Egerton, McAfee, where he served as President from 1998 to 2007 and as Chairman from 2008-2011.
Herbert has been married to Cary Pridgen Slatery for 46 years with whom he shares two grown children and one granddaughter. He is a member and Elder of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church.
Areas of Practice
Business and Commercial Transactions, Civil & Commercial Litigation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Regulatory & Administrative Law, Public Finance, Health Care, Government Relations
Education
J.D., University of Tennessee
B.A., University of Virginia
Admissions
Tennessee Supreme Court
U.S Supreme Court
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
Distinctions
Led (with six other AGs, both Democrats and Republicans) the multistate investigation of three opioid distributors and one opioid manufacturer resulting in the second largest civil settlement in U. S. history – a combined $26 billion settlement in which over 50 states and territories participated.
Helped lead the Ad Hoc Committee negotiating the reorganization plan in the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy, likely the largest and most complex U.S. bankruptcy.
Negotiated terms of Tennessee’s ongoing, active supervision of two health care systems, who combined in a first-of-its-kind transaction involving 19 hospitals in two states, over $1.7 billion in revenue and 2,500 staffed beds.
Led, at the request of the Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, the investigation of sexual harassment claims against a sitting state representative that resulted in his expulsion from the chamber.
Member, National Association of Attorneys General
- 2021 Recipient of the Kelly Wyman Award, National Association of Attorneys General (presented each year to the top Attorney General in the nation)
- Held numerous committee leadership positions with the Association
Member, Leadership Tennessee, Class III
Recipient, 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award, Webb School of Knoxville