J. Nicholas Arning, Jr.

Tyler Smith, a shareholder and a lifelong Tennessean, is in the firm’s Knoxville office. Mr. Smith has extensive experience representing employers in the defense of workers’ compensation claims through trial and administrative hearings with the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. He has obtained numerous positive results for employers on issues of medical causation, last injurious exposure, notice, statute of limitations, independent contractor, drug free workplace, a...

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...

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...

J. Eric Butler is a Shareholder in the firm. Mr. Butler focuses his legal practice in the areas of federal and state taxation, business formations, complex commercial litigation, tax controversy matters, white collar criminal defense, and estate planning/probate matters. Mr. Butler handles a large range of business and tax matters for clients across the United States involving the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities. Mr. Butler has extensive experience representing clients b...

Rick Powers graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1975 and was Order of the Coif. He has more than 40 years of general civil trial practice experience with more than 350 jury trials. His practice areas now primarily include health care liability for hospitals, nursing homes, and physicians; insurance defense in trucking, automobile, and homeowners’ cases; and other commercial litigation. Over the last five years, Mr. Powers has successfully tried five ...

Andrew Firkins is an associate with Spicer Rudstrom PLLC. Born in New York City, and growing up in the suburbs of New Jersey, he went on to attend Manhattan College where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history. After graduating he began working at a law firm in Hackensack, New Jersey where he managed the office filing system and provided paralegal support. Having gained invaluable experience in the legal field, and wanting to put his passion for writing to good use, he decided...

Paul Whitt is a shareholder in the firm’s Knoxville office whose practice focuses on construction law and complex litigation. He represents contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, design professionals, and owners in matters spanning industrial, commercial, and residential projects. Paul advises clients across every phase of the construction process—from contract formation through project closeout and, when necessary, dispute resolution. He regularly handles high-stakes matters inv...

Kacie has a wide range of experience in real estate and corporate transactions, including representing both borrowers and lenders in real estate development transactions, commercial leasing and secured lending, as well as representing clients in corporate formations and corporate M&A. Kacie handles long term care transactions, including financing, leasing, acquisitions and dispositions of long-term care and seniors housing facilities. She has particular experience related to environmental...

Will Carver is an AV rated, extremely knowledgeable, experienced and hard-working litigation attorney who values the relationships he builds with his clients and their businesses. He is a creative problem solver who diligently focuses on understanding his clients' goals, challenges and opportunities and provides his clients effective and efficient representation. His primary areas of practice are Litigation, Employment and Labor, small business advice, and Local Government and Public Utilitie...

Warren Gooch received his undergraduate degree firm The University of Tennessee with high honors and has practiced law with the firm of Kramer Rayson LLP since completing his legal education at the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1977. He established the firm's health law practice in 1987 and has extensive experience in health care law, including regulatory, administrative, litigation and transactional matters. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Associatio...