David Britton Peel, age 34, is an attorney in Millington. His office is located at 8582 Highway 51 North, where he shares office space with attorney Bill Cole.

His practice focuses on serious injury and death cases, such as those resulting from car accidents, workers compensation and medical malpractice. Examples of some of his recent notable settlements are on his website, www.coleandpeel.com

Peel set up his own practice in mid-2000, after practicing with another local attorney for several years. He made it a priority in his new practice to meet with all his clients personally. To that end, his office has a "living room" feel to it, complete with a leather couch and coffee table.

When asked about this design, Peel explained, "When I am meeting with my clients, I do not want to sit across my desk or conference table from them. Instead, we sit and talk just like we would at my home. I feel that this puts people more at ease and I think I learn more of what I need to know to go to bat for them."

Apparently, it is working. He describes that "each year is better than the last."

THE CHAMBER

Community involvement has been a part of Peel=s professional and personal life. He served as one of the charter members of the then newly-formed Millington Area Chamber of Commerce "Ambassadors." His involvement and interest in Chamber activities grew over the years. He is now serving his second three-year term on the Board of Directors.

Peel currently serves as the President of the Millington Area Chamber of Commerce. He has previously served in positions ranging from Parliamentarian to President-Elect.

As President, he thinks the Chamber had made significant strides and he hopes the Chamber will achieve several more goals. "Our first priority this past Fall was to attract a great candidate for the vital Executive Director position," Peel reflected. "When Ordis Copeland accepted, we knew we had the right man for the job. But I guess I did not know just how 'right' he really was," Peel explained.

It was only after seeing Copeland on the job that Peel said he realized what that position could become. "Ordis is able to play any position on the field when it comes to this organization," Peel explained. "From motivation of volunteers, to understanding member concerns to building coalitions, Ordis is most definitely an Executive Director of national caliber."

The Chamber also has other important and positive aspects as well. "Allyson has been a super, super person to have at the Chamber," David noted. "I tell people she is like 'bottled sunshine' whenever you call or stop into see her."

Adding to this stellar staff, is the enthusiasm of an active and effective Board. The Chamber has already seen its numbers begin to climb. "We are well over 80% of our total 2002 numbers, as of March 31, 2003," Peel mentioned.

Some future goals include the establishment of "Lifetime Achievement Awards" for those in the Millington area who have sacrificially given to, and served in the community. These awards are to be given at the Annual Dinner this fall. "It is likely that people will begin to refer to this as the 'unofficial Millington Hall of Fame,'" David said. These awards would be in addition to the existing "Person of the Year Award" which is a highlight of the yearly event.

"Improving communication has been a consistent goal, and this very newsletter is a result of that endeavor," David said, though pointing out that Ordis Copeland was responsible for it successful transition. Also, we are getting more interchange from organizations ranging from local churches to city government.

FAMILY & FAITH

Peel was quoted in several local papers as to his strident view on spending sufficient time with his family. "I have four children: one in Heaven, and three we are raising," Peel said. "There will be other lawyers, and Chamber presidents, when I am gone, but I am the only Daddy my children will ever have. I only have a few years with them to pass along all the spiritual and practical teaching that I can, and to just have fun and enjoy them as well," Peel noted.

David Peel married his wife, Tricia, in 1994 at Bellevue Baptist Church, where they met three years earlier. "I knew that I was going to marry her if she would have me," Peel said. A honeymoon in Hawaii, a new home in Munford, and a waiting job after law school began their married life on a high note.

However, other blessings were withheld. "We tried for almost five years to have children," Peel explained. With all the medical tests showing that nothing was wrong, it proved a frustrating time, and test of the faith in Jesus Christ, on which they based their marriage.

Adoption became an option, and a local young lady was in a crisis pregnancy. In a sequence of events that Peel calls "a blessing beyond explanation" the Peels had their first baby, a son on August 16, 1999.

His name is Joshua Britton Peel and he goes by "Britton." His name tells a story, according to the proud father, Joshua means "Jehovah (God) saves." Thus, Peel says that his special name means "God saved Britton for the Peels." It is hard not to notice that Britton, with his blonde hair and blue eyes, resembles his Dad as closely as a naturally born child might.

God apparently had other gifts in store for the young couple as well. Collin David Peel was born just 18 months later on February 11, 2001. "He is a joy, and has the bluest eyes, everyone talks about it," Peel beamed.

"Then, we found out we were pregnant again just a few months later," Peel recalled. Their only daughter, Megan Elise, was born on April 3, 2002. Asked if he had a Daddy's girl, Peel quickly responded in the affirmative. "She's just beautiful," he added.

Since they already had three under three years old, Dave and Trish had their hands full. However, they confess they were still sad to have a fourth pregnancy end in miscarriage.

Still, the Peel house is one where any kid would feel at home. "This past year, we were able to find our dream home," Peel said. It is on 7 acres outside of Arlington and features a 2 acre lake. As you approach the house, barely visible from the road, the circular drive is full of electric motorcycles, wagons and bicycles. Around back, there is a huge play set with a large yellow slide that the children are only too happy to demonstrate.

One of the shared activities in the family is fishing. For those of you familiar with David's office, you know he enjoys fishing. One wall of his law office features his antique fishing lure collection. Britton and Collin are quick ask to feed the catfish. They do this from the wooden bridge leading to an island, covered in buttercups.

Inside the home, portraits of the children, they thought they might never have, adorn the walls. It is clear in talking with David and Trish that they are, after almost 9 years, still a very happy couple. They credit their faith with much of the success in their relationship. In fact, they have taught other married couples in their church how to have better marriages in their Married Bible Fellowship Class at Bellevue for over 6 years. In addition, David has served as a Deacon for 4 years.

Asked about the future of Millington, David does not hesitate to say, "It's just getting brighter all the time, and the Chamber is part of the reason why."

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Copyright © 2002 by David B. Peel. All rights reserved.

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