Kala C. David

Caren Beth Nichol is a member of Evans Petree’s Property Tax Group where she litigates commercial property tax appeals before state boards of equalization and state courts. From 2017-2018 she served as President of Evans Petree PC, a full-service law firm founded in 1907 that has grown to include 49 attorneys. Prior to being elected President, Caren served as the firm’s Secretary, as a Director for over 15 years, and as Chair of the Marketing Committee and Litigation Practice Grou...

Brad’s practice focuses on Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers. In addition, he handles matters involving commercial litigation, insurance coverage, insurance defense, tort litigation, corporate and finance issues, receiverships, government relations, and consulting. He represents clients from Jackson, Tennessee and across the Southeast through his work with Rainey, Kizer, Revie...

Allison T. Gilbert is an attorney with Harris Shelton PLLC in Memphis, Tennessee . She has been recognized by Best Lawyers for her work in Real Estate Law and represents clients in a wide range of commercial real estate matters. Allison focuses her practice on commercial and industrial real estate, commercial real estate leasing for both landlords and tenants, and commercial financing and lending. Her work frequently involves commercial real estate transactions in which she represents develop...

Eric Hudson focuses his practice on the defense of mass tort litigation for pharmaceutical, medical device and other product manufacturers. He has extensive experience defending federal multidistrict litigation and state court consolidated litigation throughout the United States. He has served as lead counsel for manufacturers in nationwide MDLs as well as nationwide coordinating counsel in a number of mass torts. Eric also has an extensive settlement practice throughout the United States, an...

James Cresswell, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. James, who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Edd is an Of Counsel attorney with Spicer Rudstrom in the Memphis office. He focuses on litigation throughout Tennessee and Mississippi. Edd primarily practices in the areas of employment law, healthcare liability, insurance defense litigation, and products liability. He is also a Tennessee Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He received all league honors three years as a tight end on t...

Geoffrey is a member of the Business Services Group and the Finance, Real Estate and Restructuring Group and focuses his practice on commercial real estate and finance, mergers and acquisitions, business formation and planning, and consensual reorganizations outside bankruptcy. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized by BL Rankings, Best Lawyers in America® for his work in real estate law.

After graduating from the University of Virginia Law School in 1975, Mr. Cocke moved to Clarksdale, MS to begin practicing in a general litigation firm. In 1982, Mr. Cocke and Mr. Merkel left that firm and established Merkel & Cocke, P.A., and since that time the emphasis of Mr. Cocke's practice has progressed more and more toward medical malpractice. At the present time his practice is exclusively devoted to handling medical negligence cases for the plaintiff, either as a result of direc...

Ben’s wide-ranging litigation experience includes a focus on health-related matters and representation of pharmaceutical manufacturers in consolidated proceedings and individual cases in state and federal courts across the country. He has worked extensively with experts and company witnesses in complex cases, and his trial experience includes first-chair work as well as playing a trial support role for lead counsel. Ben has experience representing clients in MDL and mass torts, class ac...

A major focus of Mr. Crawford's practice is serving as a client relationship manager, advising clients on conflict avoidance, risk management and practice coordination. He is also a member of the Firm's Commercial Litigation Group and concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation including financial institution and general business disputes.