Cumberland County's James A. "Jim" and Thomas L. "Tom" Bean are accustomed to their dual path in life. The twin brothers, sons of Charles L. and Eva Bean, have had coordinated educations and careers and both have contributed to the area's judicial system as judges. Tom and Jim were born and raised in Cumberland County. They have two sisters, the late Ann Tollett Sims and Jackie B. Murray of Nashville. The two brothers have been life long residents of Cumberland County, except for a brief period of time when they were in the US Air Force and pursuing their legal studies. They served four years in the Air Force including a one year tour of duty in Korea. After receiving honorable discharges, they pursued their colleg degrees and graduated from Belmont College in Nashville with degrees in business administration. They were awarded Congressional appointments to Annapolis from US Senator Estes Kefauger and US Representative Joe L. Evans, but resigned their appointments to pursue law degrees. The brothers moved to Nashville, where Jim was personnel manager for Gates Rubber Co. and Tom was in personnel and labor relations for Ford Motor Co. at its Nashville glass plant. While so employed, they attended YMCA night law school for a period of four years, each earning a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.

Following is a list of business and civic organizations that Judge Bean has been affiliated with:

Member of Jr. Chamber of Commerce
Director of Chamber of Commerce
Co-Chairman with Jay Brown of Heart Fund Drive
Founder and Chairman of the Board of Upper Cumberland Savings & Loan
Founder and Chairman of the Board of Crossville Loan & Thrift
President, Cumberland County Bar Association
Member, First United Methodist Church
Member, Tennessee Bar Association
Representative, United Fund
Co-Founder and Developer of Deer Creek Golf Community
Served as a Page in the Tennessee State Senate

   
     


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Thomas L. Bean

Thomas L. Bean, a practicing attorney in Crossville, has been the appointed City Judge for the City of Crossville for the past 25 years. Judge Bean and his wife, Peggy reside in Deer Creek. They have two children, Mr. Tommy Bean and wife, Marsha who are owners of Bean & Associates Realty of Crossville and Ms. Kathryn Bean who resides in Nashville, TN.

Brother, James Bean served as Cumberland County General Sessions, Family and Probate Judge; prior to his serving as Crossville City Judge. Tom succeeded his brother as Crossville City Judge and continues to serve as City Judge. Tom is now retired from the law practice with the firm Bean, Smith & Burnett.

The City Court has seen several significant changes over the past 25 years, over which Judge Thomas Bean been the presiding official. During Judge Bean's early years, there would be 20 or so cases brought before him during each session of City Court. At present, there are between 400 and 500 cases brought before Judge Bean each time City Court is in session. The docket for City Court has also changed in the past 25 years and has gone from a large, bound docket book to being totally computerized. The City Court of Crossville is continuing to grow and adapt under Judge Bean's leadership.

more about Judge Bean and his fascinating history...

a list of Judge Bean's distinguished community service...

 

Mary Beck Mary Beck joined the firm in February 2006, as closing assistant, show now works directly with attorney Philip Burnett to assist in real estate closings and title work. She has thirty years of legal experience in a variety of fields of law, and has concentrated her career in the real estate field for the past seven years. She is also a member of the American Business Women’s Association. Mary and husband, John, have two children and four grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with her family and grandchildren, quilting, reading, golfing, and other outdoor activities.
   

James P. Smith, Jr.

James P. Smith, Jr. is a lifelong resident of Cumberland County, Tennessee and a 1977 graduate of Cumberland County High School. He attended Tennessee Technological University and finished with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee in 1982. Mr. Smith received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee College of Law in Knoxville in 1986 and was licensed in October of that same year through the Supreme Court of Tennessee. He was also admitted to practice in the Middle Federal District Court for the State of Tennessee. For the past 22 years, Mr. Smith has maintained a litigation practice in Crossville, Tennessee, representing clients in the areas of criminal defense, personal injury litigation, domestic relations, worker’s compensation, commercial litigation, products liability and medical malpractice. Mr. Smith’s practice currently focuses mainly on civil and criminal litigation with emphasis on personal injury and worker’s compensation cases.

When Mr. Smith first came back to Crossville from law school, he was an active member, for several years, of the Cumberland County Jaycees. He also worked several years as a member of the Board of Directors for Hilltoppers, Inc. and was an original member of the Cumberland County 911 board where he served for approximately 4 years. Mr. Smith is currently a member of the American Association for Justice, the Tennessee Association for Justice, the Upper Cumberland Trial Lawyers Association and the Tennessee Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He presently serves as president of the Crab Orchard Utility District which supplies water to the Crab Orchard, Fairfield Glade and Hebbertsburg communities.

Mr. Smith has been married for 25 years and their daughter recently graduated from Tennessee Technological University and teaches in the local school system. His son is currently attending Carlton College in Northfield, Minnesota and is scheduled to graduate in 2009.

 

 

   

Philip Burnett received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1995 and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Tennessee Technological University in 1992.

Mr. Burnett has been licensed through the Supreme Court of Tennessee to practice law since 1995 and is currently admitted to practice in the Middle and Eastern Federal District Court for the State of Tennessee. While practicing law in Cumberland County for the past 13 years, Mr. Burnett has represented clients in the areas of Real Estate, Personal Injury Litigation, Domestic Relations, Workers Compensation, Social Security Disability and Criminal Defense. Currently, Mr. Burnett focuses his practice on Personal Injury, Social Security Disability and Real Estate Law.

Mr. Burnett has developed several upscale residential communities in the Cumberland County area. He is an active member of the First United Methodist Church in downtown Crossville and was a member of the Board of Directors for Hilltoppers, Inc. for many years.

   
   
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The Law offices of Bean, Smith & Burnett
300 Thurman Ave.
Crossville, TN 38555
Phone #: 931-484-7549 - Fax: 931-456-1059