Edward H. "Ed" Trent

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...

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 ...

Adam Rust is a shareholder in the firm’s Knoxville office and represents individuals and businesses in a diverse range of legal matters. He handles lawsuits involving the areas of commercial litigation, employment law, transportation and construction. He also focuses upon the formation and advising of business entities, providing counsel to limited liability companies, partnerships and corporations throughout Tennessee. Additionally, he spends a significant amount of time representing p...

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 ...

Trevor Sharpe is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Trevor practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Trevor Sharpe since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Trevor Sharpe is held by other lawyers.

Jim Wright was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Jim’s father was a lawyer so he grew up working in his Dad’s office. He attended Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee College of Law, was honored with the Order of the Coif and served on the Tennessee Law Review. He is admitted to the United Supreme Court Bar as well as all Tennessee State and Federal Courts. Jim is also admitted before the Sixth Circuit and Fourth Circuit Bar as well as the U.S. Court of...

M. Edward Owens, Jr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law and Municipal Law. M. Edward practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized M. Edward Owens, Jr. since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recog...

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...

Grant Lewallen is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Grant practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Grant Lewallen since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Grant Lewallen is held by other lawyers.

Jackson G. Kramer, a highly skilled, knowledgeable and trusted counselor who has over 33 years of legal experience, concentrates his practice in the areas of Corporate and Transactional, Real Estate, Estate Planning, Administration and Trusts, and Local Government and Public Utilities. He is a strong but reasonable advocate for his clients. His primary goal is to help his clients solve their legal issues and achieve their overall objectives while simultaneously protecting their best interests.