The White House Announces Nomination of TNDAGC Deputy Executive Director for Federal Role
DAVIDSON County, Tenn. (July 3, 2025) – The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference (TNDAGC) announced today that Deputy Executive Director of Legal Services and Policy Mike Dunavant has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.
Dunavant previously held the same role from 2017 to 2021, where he represented 1.6 million Tennesseans as the chief federal prosecutor and principal legal representative of the United States in the Western District.
Before his federal appointment, Dunavant served as District Attorney General for Tennessee’s 25th Judicial District, which includes Lauderdale, Tipton, Fayette, Hardeman, and McNairy counties, from 2006 to 2017. He also previously served as Chief Investigative Counsel for the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury’s Division of Investigations, where he led efforts to uncover fraud, waste, and abuse in state and local government.
Since joining the TNDAGC in 2023, Dunavant has worked alongside Executive Director Stephen Crump and Deputy Executive Director of Operations Brittany Lavalle to develop a new leadership structure designed to streamline and simplify the process for prosecutors to access the support and resources they need. This structure helps Tennessee’s 32 elected District Attorneys General more effectively carry out their work to ensure public safety, enforce the law and champion victims’ rights.
“Deputy Director Dunavant’s career exemplifies an unwavering dedication to the law and a deep commitment to serving others,” said Executive Director Crump. “Throughout his extensive service, he has consistently demonstrated integrity, leadership and a passion for justice and safety in our communities.”
As Deputy Executive Director of Legal Services and Policy, Dunavant oversees the Conference’s Legislative, Legal, Training, and Child Support divisions. His work has been instrumental in supporting the District Attorneys’ offices on a wide range of issues, including Pro Tem appointments, victim services and traffic safety and impaired driving prosecution.
“Mike Dunavant’s leadership, both as a District Attorney and within the Conference, has strengthened our ability to serve Tennesseans effectively,” said TNDAGC Executive Committee President, Jared Effler. “We are proud to see him nominated once again to this important federal role and know that he will continue to serve with integrity and purpose.”
Dunavant emphasizes that his role at the TNDAGC is centered on supporting the 32 elected District Attorneys. This nomination represents an opportunity for him to continue that mission by working alongside the eight elected District Attorneys in West Tennessee. He remains committed to ensuring prosecutors have the tools they need to hold offenders accountable and protect the rights of victims.
“I am honored to receive this nomination,” said Deputy Director Dunavant. “I’ve had the honor of spending most of my career serving the people of West Tennessee, and my passion for public service and community safety is what led me to support our District Attorneys at the Conference. Whether advocating for their needs or working alongside them to strengthen our justice system, it’s always been about service. No matter the role I hold, I always consider myself a public servant first.”
About the TNDAGC
The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference was created by the General Assembly in 1961 to provide for a more prompt and efficient administration of justice in the courts of the state. It is composed of the elected District Attorneys General from the state’s 32 judicial districts.