Rose Palermo Announces Association With Son & Fellow Attorney Andrew Cheatham

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Andrew Cheatham

Cheatham & Palermo Founder and longtime Nashville family attorney Rose Palermo has announced that after 52 years of continuous practice, she is joining professional forces with her son, Washington, D.C.-based attorney Andrew Cheatham.

A graduate of Nashville’s Hillsboro High School, Cheatham is a seasoned international lawyer and the founder of Pragmatic Panic Legal and Social Services, a nonprofit firm offering pro bono legal aid in housing, immigration, and family law. A former Senior Advisor at the United States Institute of Peace, Cheatham previously served with the United Nations in Iraq, Somalia, and Libya, helping stabilize conflict-affected regions through reconciliation and governance programs.

At Cheatham & Palermo, Cheatham will collaborate on matters intersecting with international and complex family law issues in Washington, D.C. and New York. As part of this new association, Cheatham will continue to practice independently as a solo practitioner in Washington, D.C., with active bar admissions in both D.C. and New York. His work will support Cheatham & Palermo on high-profile cases that span state, federal, and international jurisdictions.

“I’ve had the great fortune of practicing law alongside my husband for over 50 years,” says Palermo. “And now, to formally work with my son — who brings a global view and such strong principles — is one of the greatest joys of my professional life.”

Palermo, who first opened her law office in 1973 with her husband Denty Cheatham, has spent five decades building a reputation as one of Tennessee’s preeminent family lawyers. Palermo’s practice has represented high-profile clients across the country and helped shape the legal landscape of family law in the state. Her name became legal precedent when she successfully fought for her right to retain her maiden name after marriage, resulting in the landmark Tennessee Supreme Court decision in Dunn v. Palermo.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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