Katherine "Kitty" Boyte

Mr. Fraser has provided many years of defense litigation for clients in various areas, including general liability, premises and products liability, employment, insurance disputes and professional errors and omissions claims. He has successfully litigated matters ranging from complex, multiple-party suits in products liability, wrongful death and subrogation matters. He is an Equity Member of the firm located in the firm's Knoxville office and also serves as the firm's Managing Member.

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...

Emily L. Herman-Thompson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Emily L. practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Emily L. Herman-Thompson since 2024. 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 ...

Mikel Towe is a shareholder in the firm’s Knoxville office and joined the office in 2013 after graduation from law school. Mr. Towe graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law and devotes his practice to civil litigation focusing primarily in the areas of insurance litigation involving automobile and trucking accidents, products liability, commercial liability, general liability, as well as insurance coverage and claims litigation. Mr. Towe handles matters in both state an...

Will Carver is an AV rated, extremely knowledgeable, experienced and hard-working litigation attorney who values the relationships he builds with his clients and their businesses. He is a creative problem solver who diligently focuses on understanding his clients' goals, challenges and opportunities and provides his clients effective and efficient representation. His primary areas of practice are Litigation, Employment and Labor, small business advice, and Local Government and Public Utilitie...

Brandon D. Fersten is the owner of Barnes & Fersten, PLLC, a Knoxville, Tennessee law firm dedicated to criminal defense, including general criminal matters, DUI / DWI defense, and juvenile defense. Brandon regularly appears in General Sessions Court, Criminal Court, and Juvenile Court throughout East Tennessee, where he represents individuals facing misdemeanor and felony charges. His practice includes defending clients through negotiations, hearings, bench trials, and jury trials. Brand...

Jim Wright was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Jim’s father was a lawyer so he grew up working in his Dad’s office. He attended Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee College of Law, was honored with the Order of the Coif and served on the Tennessee Law Review. He is admitted to the United Supreme Court Bar as well as all Tennessee State and Federal Courts. Jim is also admitted before the Sixth Circuit and Fourth Circuit Bar as well as the U.S. Court of...

Clint J. Woodfin is the Managing Partner of Spicer Rudstrom and the Managing Member of the firm’s Knoxville office, a Member of the firm’s Board of Directors and the Chair of the firm’s Trucking and Transportation practice. He graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1990 and the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1993. He is a member of the Hamilton Burnett Inns of Court and has obtained an AV-Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubb...

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...

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...