John Owings

John W. Elder received his undergraduate degree from Middle Tennessee State University in 2000. He received his law degree, with high honors, from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2003 and joined Paine Bickers in August of the same year. Since joining the firm, he has represented numerous individuals and entities on local, regional and national levels in all types of complex civil litigation. John is a 2007 graduate of IADC Trial Academy and a 2010 graduate of the Tennessee Bar A...

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...

Cullen Wojcik is a multifaceted, highly successful criminal defense lawyer. He joined Knox Defense in 2019 and focuses his practice on defense of state and federal court prosecutions. He is a 2011 graduate of the University of California Hastings College of Law in San Francisco and a UC Hastings Bridge Fellow where he served as a post-bar certified law clerk with the Knox County Public Defender’s office before opening his own practice. Cullen is a member of the Tennessee Supreme Court, ...

Trevor Sharpe is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Trevor, who practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Trevor is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bryce E. Fitzgerald, committed to professionalism, integrity and delivering high quality work product, maintains a diverse practice that includes a wide range of litigation in employment, government, estates, and health care in state and federal court. He has experience in wage and hour disputes arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act, and in discrimination and retaliation lawsuits arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and variou...

Brandon is an employment lawyer and mediator. He advises clients in the boardroom, and he represents them in the courtroom. Half of his practice is devoted to serving as an outside general counsel for large and small businesses, colleges and universities, and religious institutions, advising them on human resource policies, employment laws, and litigation avoidance. The other half of his practice is spent litigating employment-related issues, such as discrimination, harassment, retaliation, w...

Emily L. Herman-Thompson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Emily L., who practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Emily L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeffrey Whitt is a highly respected criminal defense attorney based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Known for his formidable presence in state and federal courtrooms across Tennessee, he has built a reputation as a skilled trial lawyer and relentless advocate for his clients. Jeff earned his law degree from Samford University in 1991 and holds a bachelor’s degree from Maryville College, where he was an Academic All-American and All-Conference honoree in both football and tennis. An active lead...

Mr. Eldridge was educated at the University of Tennessee, receiving his undergraduate degree in 1982. He graduated from the Wake Forest University School of Law, cum laude, in 1986. While there, he served as the Editor-in-Chief of its law review publication. Following graduation, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable W. Eugene Davis of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Mr. Eldridge began the private practice of law in 1987, joining Ritchie, Fels & Dillard in 19...

Gregory F. Coleman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Gregory F., who practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gregory F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.