The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) has welcomed a seasoned professional to its ranks, announcing the appointment of Rebekah Parkhurst as the department's new General Counsel. Parkhurst brings to the table nearly two decades of legal experience, engaging in the public sector with litigation management and regulatory compliance in her toolkit. According to a statement released by TDCI's official announcement, Parkhurst will serve as the chief legal advisor and oversee the department’s legal team, which includes attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff.
"With nearly two decades of experience in public sector law, litigation management, and regulatory compliance, Rebekah has demonstrated a track record of leadership that I know will benefit our department and, in turn, all Tennesseans," said TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. Echoing these sentiments, Parkhurst is responsible for the broad mission of TDCI, aiming to safeguard Tennesseans through various regulatory measures and consumer protection efforts.
TDCI holds the mantle for overseeing critical areas such as fire safety, insurance, securities industries, and assorted professional regulations, furthering consumer advocacy and public safety in the process. Parkhurst steps into the General Counsel role following the departure of Michael Driver in December 2025.
Prior to this position, she cut her teeth in several capacities within the Tennessee State Government since 2005. Her background includes a stint as a law clerk at the Tennessee Supreme Court, an Assistant Attorney General, and Deputy General Counsel at the Department of Human Services, recognized for managing complex, high-profile cases. "It is an honor and a privilege to join a team of professionals as diverse and as dedicated as the people at the TDCI," Parkhurst said, impressed with the team culture and leadership, while looking forward to the chance of building on TDCI's achievements, which she told TDCI in a recent statement.
Her academic credentials were obtained at the Appalachian School of Law, where Parkhurst earned her law degree, and then previously secured a bachelor's degree from Marshall University. The breadth of her legal career and her long-standing relationship with the state government anticipate a robust tenure in her new role at TDCI.
