By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
A widely-accomplished local attorney who chose his hometown roots over opportunities in bigger cities, Steve Conley insists he has Union City Schools to thank for their role in his educational journey.
“No doubt, I breezed through college with honors because of the education I received from the teachers and staff at Union City Schools,” claimed Conley, who’ll be the keynote speaker at the 40th annual UCHS Academic Top 10 banquet Monday night.
The Top 10 students from each of the four classes at Union City High School – based on grade point averages – will be recognized at the banquet in the school’s gymnasium, which is set for 6:30 p.m. There are 24 sponsors of the event, which is not open to the public.
Conley, a 1987 UCHS graduate who, seven years later, joined the law practice of his father, Bruce, reminisced about his days as a Golden Tornado after accepting the honor of speaking at the upcoming banquet from Director of Schools Wes Kennedy.
“Like most people that age, I probably wasn’t mature enough when I was in school to appreciate what I’d gained and the habits I’d formed from being a student at Union City Schools,” the now 57-year-old counselor said. “When I saw my kids (Tripp and Caroline) receive the same thing, though, it became so very obvious.”
Conley, who enjoyed the Top 10 banquet experience as a senior when he ranked ninth in his class, spoke fondly of numerous teachers and coaches who he said were influential and gave valuable direction.
“Mr. Gray, Ms. Dew, Mr. Miller, and before that, Mrs. Kendall, Mrs. Trim, Mrs. Fisher, they all made sure I was on the right path,” Conley continued. “And I got to experience everything in sports, which I enjoyed so much. From Coach (Harry) Ferguson in basketball, to coaches (Barry) Duncan and (Donnie) Braswell in baseball, and even with Coach (Randy) Barnes during my brief football career, I had so many positive influences as a Union City Schools student.”
Conley’s father was also a guiding light, encouraging him to pivot from the University of Tennessee to (then) Memphis State University when a full academic Presidential scholarship was offered. After graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Political Science, he enrolled and graduated from MSU’s Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and passed the Bar Exam in the spring of 1994.
Steve spoke glowingly of his father, who recently turned 87 and still visits the Conley Law Office regularly, saying, “Dad was a big influence, and not just in my career choice. I’ve parented the way he parented my sister (Debbie) and me, but I know I’ll never live up to the person he is.”
The younger Conley chose to join his father in practice upon graduating from law school, rather than putting down roots in bigger cities. His reasoning was simple, he said: “I wanted to come back to the community that had such a positive influence on me and try to give back to it.”
Numerous professional honors and community activities highlight Conley’s glowing resume, including memberships in several bar, trial, and defense lawyer associations. He was selected as a Fellow in the Tennessee Bar Foundation in 2005 and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Foundation and as the Secretary of the Tennessee Bar Association House of Delegates.
Steve also serves as the County Attorney for Obion County and was elected the County Attorney of the Year by the Tennessee County Attorneys’ Association in 2019.
Community-wise, he’s been the President of both the UC Rotary Club and the Union City Jaycees and was selected as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotarians in 2012. He’s the Vice-Chairman of the Union City Housing Authority, and a member of the Obion County Chamber of Commerce and Union City Main Street.
Conley said he’ll encourage honorees at Monday’s banquet to slow down and be mindful of the education process and opportunities given to them.
“I hope to impress on the students to appreciate what’s going on now instead of rushing through everything,” he said. “Telling those close to them – parents, grandparents, whoever – they’re thankful for them.
“I’ll encourage them, too, to stop and tell their teachers before they retire, ‘thank you.’ Some may feel the need to tell them they’re sorry for something. Either way, I want them to take some time and reflect before moving on to the next chapter of their lives.”
Steve and his wife, Wesley, a Dyersburg native who previously taught school in Franklin, are the parents of two children.
Tripp graduated from law school in Knoxville two years ago and is currently working as Legal Counsel for Senator Tom Cotton in Washington, DC. Daughter Caroline received her undergraduate degree in speech pathology from UTK and will receive her Master’s from Murray State before beginning work at UC Schools at the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.