Melissa C. DiRado

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...

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...

Grant Lewallen is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Grant practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Grant Lewallen 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 Grant Lewallen is held by other lawyers.

Betsy J. Beck is a Partner and a member of the Firm’s employment law team. Ms. Beck has spent her career litigating issues involving employment discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour and other compensation issues, and all other aspects of the employer-employee relationship both in federal or state court and in front of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Department of Labor (DOL), and various other state and federal administrative agencies. Business owners, in-house ...

Daniel T. Swanson represents clients on matters pertaining to medical malpractice defense, healthcare law, correctional healthcare defense, regulatory enforcement defense, False Claims Act defense, provider-payer disputes, billing audit appeals, business litigation, cybersecurity, and HIPAA issues. Mr. Swanson’s practice is provider focused. He represents physicians, physician groups and other provider organizations at trial, arbitration, and mediation. He helps clients navigate increas...

Andrew Firkins is an associate with Spicer Rudstrom PLLC. Born in New York City, and growing up in the suburbs of New Jersey, he went on to attend Manhattan College where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history. After graduating he began working at a law firm in Hackensack, New Jersey where he managed the office filing system and provided paralegal support. Having gained invaluable experience in the legal field, and wanting to put his passion for writing to good use, he decided...

Jack Burgin has a diverse legal practice, primarily advising and defending employers on a variety of labor and employee benefit related topics and on representing and advising government contractors about costs and labor issues. Jack's advice and litigation practice focuses on Representing and advising employers on all types of employment discrimination issues, including questions relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Representing and advising plan administrators and plan sponsors ...

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.

Heidi Barcus has dedicated her legal career to advocating for healthcare professionals and institutions in the complex arena of healthcare liability. As a shareholder in Lewis Thomason’s Knoxville office, she has established herself as a preeminent figure in the field, offering unparalleled expertise and unwavering commitment to her clients. Licensed to practice law in both Tennessee and Kentucky, Ms. Barcus has consistently demonstrated her legal ability by successfully defending a wid...

Jason Legg joined the team at Garza Law in 2023. Cityview Magazine recognized Jason as a “Top Attorney” in Knoxville in seven practice areas for 2020, including Civil Litigation , Personal Injury ( automobile and motorcycle accidents), Product Liability , Workers’ Compensation , and Wrongful Death . He was also recognized in the practice area of Personal Injury in the 2015, 2016 and 2018 editions. Jason graduated from Mississippi College of Law with his Juris Doctor in 1997....