Emily M. Swecker

Attorney at Law

Emily M. Swecker is an accomplished trial attorney and proud East Tennessee native dedicated to the pursuit of justice. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish from Harding University, graduating summa cum laude. She then received a full academic scholarship to Pepperdine University School of Law, where she served as an editor on the Law Review and graduated summa cum laude as salutatorian of her class.

During law school, Emily participated in Pepperdine’s Global Justice Program, completing a judicial externship with Justice Augustine Nshimye of the Court of Appeal of Uganda. Following graduation, she served with International Justice Mission in Mumbai, India, where she worked on behalf of victims of human trafficking—an experience that inspired her to pursue a career in criminal prosecution.

Emily began her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Sullivan County, where she served at the Criminal Court level.  She handled the full gamut of cases, ranging from thefts and DUIs to sex crimes and murder.  Emily served on the Child Protective Investigative Team and developed extensive expertise with Tennessee’s sex offender registry and related laws.

After eight years as a state prosecutor, Emily joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Greeneville, Tennessee.  As an Assistant United States Attorney, she managed complex prosecutions at every stage – from grand jury investigations to appeal. She led a multi-agency task force focused on dismantling large-scale criminal conspiracies involving domestic and international drug trafficking, money laundering, and other serious offenses.

Among her notable cases, Emily successfully prosecuted a multi-level drug conspiracy, holding a high-level dealer accountable for overdose deaths caused by drugs in his supply chain. She also successfully tried and convicted a serial rapist from Johnson City in a highly publicized case involving his production of child pornography.

Over the course of her career, Emily has conducted approximately 40 jury trials, earning a reputation for her confident courtroom presence and meticulous trial preparation. She does not hesitate to take a case before a jury if doing so is in her client’s best interest.

In 2026, Emily joined the Shipley Law Firm in an Of Counsel capacity, bringing thirteen years of courtroom experience and a deep understanding of both state and federal criminal law to the firm’s practice. Her background as a prosecutor gives her clients a unique strategic advantage – an insider’s perspective on government investigation and trial strategy.  Emily’s extensive knowledge of federal sentencing guidelines allows her to use them effectively in negotiating favorable outcomes while remaining ready, when necessary, to fight for justice in the courtroom.