2023 MTLAW BOARD
Racquel Peebles, President
Racquel Peebles is a native of Smyrna, TN. She is a graduate of Smyrna High School (1989); received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Memphis State University (1993); and, Juris Doctorate from Emory University, School of Law (1996). Attorney Peebles has been a small-business owner with a law office located in Smyrna, TN- Racquel Peebles, Attorney-at-Law for 18 years, and she homeschooled her children for 14 years.
Peebles practiced in Atlanta, GA for 7-years before returning home and opening her law practice, Racquel Peebles, Attorney-at-Law, where she practices in the areas of corporate & business law; wills, probate & estate law; adoption law; and, real estate. She has practiced law since 1996.
Racquel is a member of Rutherford-Cannon County Bar Association, the Andrew Jackson American Inns of Court, and Middle Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women (MTLAW). She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
She also serves as a member of the Smyrna Town Council and was elected to her 2nd term on the Council in 2020. She is the first person of color to serve on the Council. Peebles is the council representative for the Charity Assistance Board and the Smyrna Arts & Cultural Committee.
Michelle Howser, Past-President
Michelle Howser graduated from Nashville School of Law in 2006. She is the managing partner at Howser & Associates where her primary focus is family law. She is the mother to two wonderful children and is married to Eric Howser. She serves on the Board of Tennessee Legal Association for Women, HELP for Nicaragua, and as a ruling elder in her church. She is a Richard LaRoche Pro Bono Award recipient. She an active member of Leadership Rutherford, Republican Women, and the Andrew Jackson Inn of Court. In her spare time she enjoys reading, gardening, and travel.
Honorable Brittany S. Stevens, President-Elect
Judge Brittany S. Stevens currently serves as the Town of Smyrna Judge, bringing a unique blend of experiences to the bench. With prior roles as Court Clerk and a background in private practice, she is licensed to practice law in all Tennessee state courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Judge Stevens holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science-Communication, magna cum laude, from Lipscomb University and earned her Juris Doctorate from Nashville School of Law.
In addition to her judicial duties, Judge Stevens serves as an Adjunct Professor at Lipscomb University and mentors law students at Nashville School of Law. She is very involved in the community and holds leadership positions in organizations such as the Middle Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women and previously served as president of Friends of Smyrna Public Library. She is also an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and her church.
Amy Farrar, Treasurer
Amy Farrar’s passion for seniors and her heart for service led her to found the Tennessee Center for Estate & Elder Law, PLLC, which advocates for clients in both legal and non-legal matters related to aging. She provides a holistic approach to finishing life well, including estate planning, trust law, elder law, and creating a sense of peace and closure for families as they navigate probate and conservatorships. Farrar also provides businesses and individuals with legal advice and representation at Farrar | Moore Law. Farrar is a cum laude graduate of both Wake Forest University and the University of Mississippi School of Law. Farrar is married to attorney Jeff Farrar; they have three active young sons.
Barbara Marie Penland-LaFevers, Board Member (Membership)
Barbara Marie Penland-LaFevers began her solo practice in September 2018. Prior to opening her own practice, Barbara practiced law as an Associate Attorney with the law firm Bulloch, Fly, Hornsby and Evans. Barbara was a law clerk to the Honorable Robert E. Corlew, III, Chancellor for the 16th Judicial District for many years.
Barbara was born and raised in Middle Tennessee. She received her bachelor degree, cum laude, from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee. She also received her Juris Doctorate from the Nashville School of Law where she was a member of the Honor Counsel Society, Nashville School of Law Legal Society, and Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
She is a member of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Rutherford and Cannon County Bar Associations, Coffee County Bar Association, Middle Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women, Rutherford County Recovery Court Foundation Board Member, Doors of Hope Board Member, and a long standing member of the Murfreesboro Noon Lions Club. She is licensed to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States of America, United States District Courts for the Middle District of Tennessee, and all State Courts in Tennessee.
Leslie McBride, Secretary
Leslie McBride graduated from Middle Tennessee State University. She earned her J.D. from the Nashville School of Law.
An internship with The Rutherford County Public Defender's solidified Leslie's desire to become a criminal defense attorney. Shortly after graduation, Leslie clerked for the Rutherford County Juvenile Court Judge, The Honorable Donna Scott Davenport. She then returned to the Public Defender's to begin her career as an Assistant Public Defender.
When the Veteran's Treatment Court started in Rutherford County in 2015, Leslie was invited to join the treatment team & the same for Mental Health Court when they started in 2017. She now has the privilege of working with all the Recovery Courts & she finds this work to be the most rewarding part of her job!
Catherine Post, Board Member
Catherine Post graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2012 where she fell in love with the Rutherford County community. She earned her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Nashville School of Law in 2017. While in law school, she was a paralegal for David LaRoche. After passing the bar, she began practicing family law and estate planning at Wilson, Howser, Oliver, & Turner, PLLC in Murfreesboro. Catherine enjoyed private practice for several years until she returned to the classroom and earned her Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2022. Catherine now works for Tower Community Bank as their Legal and Regulatory Compliance Officer.
Catherine is the President of the Board of the Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, a past board member of the Junior League of Murfreesboro, and a graduate of Leadership Rutherford Class of 2020. She has a passion for community service, especially helping the families and children of Rutherford County.
Catherine grew up in South Pittsburg, Tennessee with several siblings, horses, goats, and dogs. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, on the farm, and traveling whenever she can.
Whitney Raque, Communications Director
Whitney Henderson Raque (pronounced rocky) is a native of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She has established her career focusing on the areas of criminal defense, juvenile law, domestic relations (divorce, child custody, child support, etc), employment law, personal injury, and general practice. She is a Rule 31 listed family law mediator. Whitney is a young, aggressive attorney who will fight for you! She is diligent, efficient, quick-witted, and will work hard to get the results you desire.
She is up-to-date on all of the new advances in technology that allows her and clients to easily communicate, send documents, and the like. She is never too busy for her clients and makes each one a priority. She prides herself in being able to return calls and e-mails within 24 hours because each and every case and client, no matter how big or small, are all important.
In 2008, Whitney graduated from Middle Tennessee State University. While at MTSU, she interned with Rutherford County’s 16th Judicial District’s District Attorney General’s Office. She is a graduate of the Nashville School of Law. While attending Nashville School of Law, she worked as a paralegal for Sonya W. Henderson for 4 years.
Heather Graves Parker, Board Member (Programs)
Heather G. Parker joined Evans Bulloch Parker PLLC in February of 2012 as an junior partner. Prior to joining the firm, she was a law clerk to the Honourable Robert E. Corlew, III, Chancellor for the 16th Judicial District.
Mrs. Parker was born and raised in Middle Tennessee. She received her bachelor degree, summa cum laude, from Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee. She also received her Juris Doctorate, with high honors, from the University of Tennessee College of Law in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she was a member of the Tennessee Law Review and served as an Executive Editor.
She is a member of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Rutherford and Cannon County Bar Associations. She is licensed to practice before the United States District Courts for the Middle and Eastern Districts of Tennessee and all State Courts in Tennessee.