Donald J. Farinato

Chris W. McCarty, a shareholder in our Knoxville office, focuses his practice in employment law, education law, and civil litigation. He represents clients in both state and federal courts across Tennessee and is recognized as a Rule 31 Mediator. Chris is also a trained arbitrator. Prior to his legal career, Chris taught eighth-grade United States history at Seymour Middle School in Seymour, Tennessee. He now serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Tennessee College of Law. Chris ...

Preston A. Hawkins, a shareholder in the Knoxville office, concentrates his practice on general tort litigation, construction litigation, appellate advocacy, and criminal defense. Mr. Hawkins is lead trial counsel and has successfully defended global corporations in significant lawsuits in state and federal court. Mr. Hawkins has also successfully represented contractors, design professionals, and owners in numerous construction litigation matters and arbitrations. Mr. Hawkins has also succes...

Clint J. Woodfin is the Managing Partner of Spicer Rudstrom and the Managing Member of the firm’s Knoxville office, a Member of the firm’s Board of Directors and the Chair of the firm’s Trucking and Transportation practice. He graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1990 and the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1993. He is a member of the Hamilton Burnett Inns of Court and has obtained an AV-Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubb...

Leslie F. Bishop, a distinguished shareholder at Lewis Thomason, is an experienced attorney overseeing all aspects of general defense litigation, with a particular focus on workers’ compensation and employment law. Her extensive employment law practice includes representing employers before state agencies and litigating a wide range of employment issues. Leslie also serves as the Co-Chair of the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Practice Group, demonstrating her leadership and ex...

Heidi Barcus has dedicated her legal career to advocating for healthcare professionals and institutions in the complex arena of healthcare liability. As a shareholder in Lewis Thomason’s Knoxville office, she has established herself as a preeminent figure in the field, offering unparalleled expertise and unwavering commitment to her clients. Licensed to practice law in both Tennessee and Kentucky, Ms. Barcus has consistently demonstrated her legal ability by successfully defending a wid...

Daniel T. Swanson represents clients on matters pertaining to medical malpractice defense, healthcare law, correctional healthcare defense, regulatory enforcement defense, False Claims Act defense, provider-payer disputes, billing audit appeals, business litigation, cybersecurity, and HIPAA issues. Mr. Swanson’s practice is provider focused. He represents physicians, physician groups and other provider organizations at trial, arbitration, and mediation. He helps clients navigate increas...

Brandon D. Fersten is the owner of Barnes & Fersten, PLLC, a Knoxville, Tennessee law firm dedicated to criminal defense, including general criminal matters, DUI / DWI defense, and juvenile defense. Brandon regularly appears in General Sessions Court, Criminal Court, and Juvenile Court throughout East Tennessee, where he represents individuals facing misdemeanor and felony charges. His practice includes defending clients through negotiations, hearings, bench trials, and jury trials. Brand...

George R. Arrants, Jr. focuses his legal practice in the areas of Corporate and Transactional and Employment and Labor and Taxation. He has extensive experience in his practice areas as well as a thorough knowledge of his clients' businesses and unique legal needs. While simultaneously protecting their business interests from unintended or unexpected legal consequences, he efficiently and effectively identifies and pursues the best options and/or solutions to their employment or business-rela...

Mark Castleberry, a shareholder based in the firm’s Knoxville office, has a varied litigation-based practice focusing on the area of health care law to include medical malpractice and long-term care defense, as well as, product liability defense, business litigation, insurance law, personal injury defense, and professional negligence. Mr. Castleberry has extensive experience as lead counsel representing numerous clients in complex, high exposure litigation in trial courts in both state ...

Bill Vines was admitted to the courts of the State of Tennessee and the United States District Court for the Eastern District in 1966. He is admitted to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals and in 1972 was admitted to the United States Supreme Court. He is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization and by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 listed mediator both in state and federal co...