John E. Winters

John E. Winters

Knoxville, TN recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011
Kramer Rayson LLP

20 Best Lawyers awards

Kramer Rayson LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Insurance Law Litigation - Labor and Employment Employment Law - Management Health Care Law Labor Law - Management
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Knoxville.

Biography

John E. Winters, an effective trial lawyer with over 23 years of experience, focuses his practice in the areas of Labor and Employment and Commercial Litigation. His vast knowledge and experience coupled with a common sense approach to resolving disputes is vital to helping his clients save not only money but also valuable time away from their businesses. He takes the time to understand his clients' needs and legal goals and looks for cost-effective solutions that will get them the results they want.

For those cases that require court action, Mr. Winters has extensive trial experience. He has served as lead counsel in approximately 50 jury trials throughout Tennessee, and represented clients in cases filed in Ohio, South Carolina, Kentucky, Florida, Indiana and West Virginia. He has also served as lead counsel in many non-jury, arbitrations and administrative hearings.

The Best Lawyers in America, a highly regarded peer-review publication, first selected Mr. Winters for inclusion to its list in 2011 for Labor and Employment and Insurance Law. He has received this distinction every year since.

Mid-South Super Lawyers recognized Mr. Winters in the field of Civil Litigation - Defense in 2014 and 2015.

Martindale Hubbell has awarded Mr. Winters an AV Rating.

In his Labor and Employment practice, besides providing litigation assistance, Mr. Winters gives general employment law advice, provides training and represents companies in a wide array of matters before state and federal administrative agencies. His practice includes the following issues:

  • Discrimination
  • Harassment
  • Non-Competition Agreements
  • Contract Disputes
  • Retaliation
  • Trade Secrets

In his Commercial Litigation practice, he represents companies as well as individuals in federal and state courts and arbitration proceedings.

Mr. Winters was selected by the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2014 to serve as a member of the Merit Selection Panel for the Eastern District of Tennessee. In this position, Mr. Winters played a role in the selection of two Bankruptcy Court judges for the Eastern District of Tennessee.

Kramer Rayson LLP

20 Best Lawyers awards

Kramer Rayson LLP logo

Overview

  • The University of Memphis, J.D., graduated 1993
  • The University of Tennessee, BA, graduated 1990

  • Tennessee, Tennessee Bar Association

  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Knoxville Bar Association - Member
  • Kramer Rayson LLP - Managing Partner
  • Kramer Rayson Management Committee - Member
  • Tennessee Bar Association - Member
  • Tennessee Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Committee - Member, 2008-2010
  • University of Memphis School of Law Alumni Board - Member
  • Tennessee, Tennessee Bar Association
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Knoxville Bar Association - Member
  • Kramer Rayson LLP - Managing Partner
  • Kramer Rayson Management Committee - Member
  • Tennessee Bar Association - Member
  • Tennessee Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Committee - Member, 2008-2010
  • University of Memphis School of Law Alumni Board - Member
  • The University of Memphis, J.D., graduated 1993
  • The University of Tennessee, BA, graduated 1990

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Insurance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Insurance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Insurance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Litigation - Labor and Employment
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Insurance Law, Knoxville (2026)
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, Knoxville (2026)
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, Knoxville (2022)
  • Insurance Law, Knoxville (2020)
  • Employment Law - Management, Knoxville (2018)
  • Labor Law - Management, Knoxville (2017)
  • Insurance Law, Knoxville (2014)
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, Knoxville (2013)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Health Care Law
  • Insurance Law
  • Labor Law - Management
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
Awards:
  • Best Lawyers in America 2010 - 2013
  • Best Lawyers in America 2013 Lawyer of the Year in Litigation - Labor & Employment
  • City View Top Attorney 2009 - 2012

Case History

Cases
  • yarnell v. TransAmerica Life Ins. Co. and SunTrust Investment Services, Inc., 694 F. Supp. 2d 849 (E.D. Tenn 2010)
Case involving negligence regarding a large financial institution.
  • Johnson v. Lenoir City Housing Authority, 2008 Tenn. App. LEXIS 189 (Tenn. Ct. App. Mar. 31, 2008)
Employment Law case
  • Linson v. Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc., 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 44654 (E.D. Tenn June 2006)
Employment Law case

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