John B. Waters III

Rick is a civil litigation attorney. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1987, at which time he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He worked as a systems acquisition officer at the Ballistic Missile Organization at Norton Air Force Base until 1992 and last served as the Reentry Systems Launch Program Acquisition Logistics Manager. Upon separation from the Air Force as a captain, Rick attended t...

Glenn R. Walter, a shareholder of Lewis Thomason, has a varied litigation-based practice. Mr. Walter regularly handles matters related to the defense of accountants, accounting firms, and lawyers in professional liability matters. He also has extensive experience as lead counsel in the areas of insurance defense, product liability, insurance coverage, personal injury, healthcare liability, transportation, agri-business liability defense, workers’ compensation, and general tort litigatio...

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...

Edward (“Ward”) Phillips has a wealth of knowledge and trial experience in his practice areas of Labor and Employment Law. Ward represents management exclusively in all areas of employment and labor relations, including state and federal employment litigation and in administrative proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the United States Department of Labor, and the National Labor Relations Board. He is a forceful, effective litigator. Ward has been describ...

Wade Davies has tried complex cases for over thirty years. In August 2025, he was sworn in as President of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has served on the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee and now represents attorneys in matters before the Board. Mr. Davies has concentrated on state and federal investigations and criminal trials throughout his career. Mr. Davies graduated first in his class from the University of Tennessee Colle...

Marshall Stair, a shareholder in the firm’s Knoxville office, concentrates his practice in employment law with an emphasis on the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA/wage & hour/overtime), insurance casualty defense, and general commercial and tort litigation. While attending law school, he worked for the United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, assisting federal investigations enforcing the Fair Labor Standards Act. After earning his degree from the University of Tenne...

Denise S. Terry is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Denise S. practices law in Morristown, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Denise S. Terry since 2015. 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 Denise S. Terry is held by other lawyers.

www.lewisthomason.com/attorneys/sarah-y-sheppeard/

Rachel Park Hurt is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Health Care Law, Litigation - Health Care, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Rachel Park practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Rachel Park Hurt since 2020. 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 whic...

Rodney A. Fields, managing shareholder of the Knoxville office, joined Lewis Thomason in 1991. He is Chairman of the firm’s Board of Directors and manages the firm’s Business Practice Group. Mr. Fields divides his practice between litigation and transactional work. His practice focuses primarily in the areas of business law, commercial litigation, bankruptcy and casualty defense litigation. Mr. Fields also serves as legal counsel to multiple local motor vehicle dealerships and nat...