N. Craig "Craig" Strand

Preston A. Hawkins, a shareholder in the Knoxville office, concentrates his practice on general tort litigation, construction litigation, appellate advocacy, and criminal defense. Mr. Hawkins is lead trial counsel and has successfully defended global corporations in significant lawsuits in state and federal court. Mr. Hawkins has also successfully represented contractors, design professionals, and owners in numerous construction litigation matters and arbitrations. Mr. Hawkins has also succes...

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...

Chris W. McCarty, a shareholder in our Knoxville office, focuses his practice in employment law, education law, and civil litigation. He represents clients in both state and federal courts across Tennessee and is recognized as a Rule 31 Mediator. Chris is also a trained arbitrator. Prior to his legal career, Chris taught eighth-grade United States history at Seymour Middle School in Seymour, Tennessee. He now serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Tennessee College of Law. Chris ...

Ben Jones is a shareholder in the Knoxville office of Lewis Thomason. Mr. Jones' practice primarily concentrates on personal injury, insurance and casualty defense in civil litigation with his primary emphasis in the areas of hospitality litigation, amusement litigation, commercial vehicle/automobile litigation, professional liability and general tort defense. Mr. Jones has defended wrongful death and other catastrophic injury cases and has extensive trial experience in courts throughout East...

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....

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 ...

Adam Rust is a shareholder in the firm’s Knoxville office and represents individuals and businesses in a diverse range of legal matters. He handles lawsuits involving the areas of commercial litigation, employment law, transportation and construction. He also focuses upon the formation and advising of business entities, providing counsel to limited liability companies, partnerships and corporations throughout Tennessee. Additionally, he spends a significant amount of time representing p...

Leslie F. Bishop, a distinguished shareholder at Lewis Thomason, is an experienced attorney overseeing all aspects of general defense litigation, with a particular focus on workers’ compensation and employment law. Her extensive employment law practice includes representing employers before state agencies and litigating a wide range of employment issues. Leslie also serves as the Co-Chair of the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Practice Group, demonstrating her leadership and ex...

David Draper is a Knoxville native and the senior shareholder in the firm’s Knoxville construction law practice group. He is an AV-rated trial lawyer with broad experience in civil litigation, arbitration, and mediation. Prior to obtaining his law degree, he operated a paint contracting business and worked in commercial construction. His law practice is concentrated in construction defect litigation, professional liability defense, commercial disputes and insurance coverage disputes. Hi...

Kim Burnette is a partner with Arnett, Draper & Hagood, where his practice focuses on tort litigation, product liability, workers’ compensation, mediation, and insurance issues. Kim is an East Tennessee native who received his J.D. degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1985, graduating with honors. Upon graduation, he served a one year judicial clerkship with United States Magistrate Judge John Y. Powers in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Thereafter he returned to Knoxvi...