Twenty- four years ago Ed Simms began serving as the County Attorney for Lincoln County. While serving as county attorney, Simms continued operating his private law practice. On Sunday, May 31, Simms retired from his position as county attorney. However, he will continue representing clients in his private practice.

Simms is a descendant of a line of lawyers. His ancestors have served this community for more than a century. His grandfather, Arthur Edward Simms, began his practice here. “He became a judge in 1926 and served until the late 1950s,” Simms said. Arthur’s sons Arthur Edward Simms Jr., and Robert William Simms partnered in the law practice, Simms & Simms. Robert W. Simms, his father, served as Lincoln County attorney for 30plus years. “I took his place,” said Simms.

During his tenure Simms has served under County mayors Jerry Mansfield, Peggy Bevels and Bill Newman. In August, a new Lincoln County mayor will be elected. With that in mind, Simms said he feels it’s time someone else is appointed to serve as county attorney. During the May 26 Lincoln County Commission meeting, W. Garrett Honea was elected to serve as county attorney, with his term expiring May 2028.

Simms said he dealt with delinquent taxes, attended many board meetings, including the Lincoln County Board of Public Utilities, attended monthly budget committees and other meetings at the courthouse. “It got pretty overwhelming,” he said.

Despite an overwhelming schedule, Simms stayed involved in a number of civic clubs, including Boy Scouts, Sunday school teacher at Fayetteville First Methodist Church for 35-years, a member and chairman of the church administrative board, past member of the trustees, and was on numerous other boards and committees. He has served on the executive committee for Middle Tennessee Council Scoutmaster, past president, vice president and director of the Kiwanis Club, was past unit Legacy Chairman of the American Cancer Society and past president and director of the Fayetteville-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Board of directors. In addition, he is a member of all of the Bar Associations.

Simms said all those commitments left him little time for recreation, but he occasionally flew his single engine plane. “I flew for 30-years,” he said. “One thing about flying — you don’t think about the office.”

Simms said he stays really busy and over the years has provided a variety of legal services. “I’m sort of a dinosaur — a sole practitioner in a small town.” He said, “I do mostly real estate and probate — not criminal.” Simms is licensed in Alabama and Tennessee and is authorized to practice in all federal district courts in Tennessee. “We all get into our little niches … nowadays everybody specializes,” he said. “

This year, The Elk Valley Times’ readers voted Simms “Finest Attorney” in the newspaper’s annual edition of Lincoln County’s Finest. He complimented all of the lawyers in the community. “All of our lawyers are good. All of them have expertise in their line … and we have great judges,” he said.

He and his wife, Lana, have three grown children and eight grandchildren.