Prior to assuming the bench in 2022, Judge Chappell was in private practice for 29 years.
Her practice included federal and state court litigation in both criminal and civil matters. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Rhodes College and her J.D. from the University of Memphis Law School.

Judge Chappell holds membership in the Nashville, Tennessee, and American Bar Associations, the Nashville Bar Foundation, Tennessee Bar Foundation Board of Trustees, Harry Phillips Inns of Court Emeritus, Lawyers Association for Women (Marion Griffin Chapter), and Tennessee Trial Judges Association.