James F. Parker

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...

Taylor A. Williams received his undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee, graduating with honors. He received his law degree from The University of Tennessee College of Law in 2009, graduating with high honors. In law school, Taylor’s case commentary was published in school’s business law journal. Since joining the firm, Taylor has over ten years of complex litigation practice, focusing on commercial disputes and defense of products liability actions in ...

Thomas M. Hale is an experienced, skilled and effective trial and transactional lawyer who brings a wealth of knowledge to his clients in his practice areas of: Corporate and Transactional Employment and Labor Estate Planning, Administration and Trusts Local Government and Public Utilities Real Estate Professional Liability Litigation Commercial Corporate Municipal Land Use/Zoning He is a solution seeker and problem solver and works hard as an advocate for his clients in an honest, straight-f...

Jason H. Long, a shareholder in the firm’s Knoxville office, has a practice primarily dedicated to the defense of healthcare liability matters and professional board representation. He represents individual physicians, physicians’ groups, nurses, nursing facilities and other care providers in complex legal matters in Tennessee and Kentucky. He also handles matters involving business litigation, civil trial defense, nursing home and long-term care defense as well as legal malpracti...

David Chapman, a shareholder in the firm’s Knoxville office, focuses primarily on the defense of local and national transportation companies, brokers and commercial motor operators, including medical and liability expert retention and discovery, accident investigation and evaluation, and pre-trial, trial and appellate litigation. He has also worked with multiple motor carriers and transportation companies regarding post-accident protocols and FMCSA compliance. Mr. Chapman’s practi...

Kim Burnette is a partner with Arnett, Draper & Hagood, where his practice focuses on tort litigation, product liability, workers’ compensation, mediation, and insurance issues. Kim is an East Tennessee native who received his J.D. degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1985, graduating with honors. Upon graduation, he served a one year judicial clerkship with United States Magistrate Judge John Y. Powers in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Thereafter he returned to Knoxvi...

Joshua Hedrick has practiced criminal defense law in Tennessee since 2006. He possesses extensive trial experience, with particular focus on homicide cases. His work obtaining a new trial for and exoneration of Raynella Dossett Leath was featured on CBS’s 48 Hours ( July 14, 2018, Season 30, Episode 54 ). He is dedicated to the cause of indigent defense. He has successfully argued cases before the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and the Tennessee Supreme Court and defended citizens ...

David Draper is a Knoxville native and the senior shareholder in the firm’s Knoxville construction law practice group. He is an AV-rated trial lawyer with broad experience in civil litigation, arbitration, and mediation. Prior to obtaining his law degree, he operated a paint contracting business and worked in commercial construction. His law practice is concentrated in construction defect litigation, professional liability defense, commercial disputes and insurance coverage disputes. Hi...

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...

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...