Jay Miller, General Counsel

Jay Miller has served as General Counsel to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture since March 2019.  In that role he oversees provision of legal services for all matters in which the department requires representation or counsel, including matters related to licensing and enforcement, public records compliance, legislative and regulatory analysis, policy formation, and human resource functions. Miller also directs the department’s Agricultural Crime Unit charged with investigation and enforcement of Tennessee’s laws related to livestock welfare and traceability, wildland fire, farm and forestry theft, and unlicensed operation of agricultural businesses.

Miller joined the department in 2014 as counsel to the Division of Consumer and Industry Services. In that position, he aided the department in statutory interpretation, rule promulgation, and violation enforcement for various regulatory programs related to agricultural inputs, animal health, dairy, food, fuel quality, pesticides, plant certification, and weights and measures. 

Previously, Miller was a litigator with the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General and Reporter, Civil Rights and Claims Division, where he represented the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and other state agencies in tort actions against the state or its employees. Before entering public service, Miller practiced law privately in Nashville with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C., where he focused on commercial litigation.

Miller holds a baccalaureate degree from Vanderbilt University. He graduated summa cum laude from Lipscomb University in 2003 with a Masters in Business Administration and magna cum laude with a juris doctorate degree from University of Tennessee College of Law in 2010.

Miller is a nearly lifelong resident of Middle Tennessee. He is the son of small business owner, and before practicing law, Miller worked for approximately 15 years in service industries and nonprofit agencies in Nashville.  As a result, he is committed to bringing a customer-focused approach to the department’s work for Tennessee citizens in a way that gives back to our communities. Miller’s primary focus is a commitment to help the department protect the public health and welfare in the most reasonable and minimally intrusive manner benefiting citizens and industry.