O.E. Sonny Schow IV

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...

Robert B. Frost, Jr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Land Use and Zoning Law and Municipal Law. Robert B. practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Robert B. Frost, Jr. 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 Robert B. Frost, Jr. is held by other lawyers.

Thomas A. Bickers graduated with honors in 1984 from Middle Tennessee State University. He graduated with high honors from The University of Tennessee College Of Law in 1987. Following law school, he served as law clerk to the Honorable H. Ted Milburn of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. In 1993, Tom was appointed by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee to serve as a member of the advisory group tasked with revising the Court’s l...

Jeff Thompson is a shareholder in the firm’s Knoxville office. He has tried over 70 jury trials to verdict in state and federal courts. Mr. Thompson focuses on healthcare liability, products liability, and the defense of public officials and governmental entities. He is admitted to practice in all Federal and State courts in Tennessee, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Jeff Thompson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(...

Mr. Garza is a native of East Tennessee. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University. He obtained his Masters of Science from the University of Tennessee and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law. Marcos M. Garza of the Garza Law Firm, PLLC is best known for his defense of those accused of DUI , criminal charges and for his representation of individuals who have suffered serious personal injury . In 2010 through 2014, Marcos Garza was one of only four lawyer...

Robyn Jarvis Askew is a shareholder in Lewis Thomason's Knoxville office, focusing on comprehensive real estate, corporate, and business law in Tennessee and other regions of the United States. Robyn represents corporations, joint ventures, partnerships, and limited liability companies in various aspects of entity formation, financing, and operations. Her experience spans multiple industries, with a particular focus on the preparation, review, and negotiation of complex commercial contracts. ...

Janet Hayes, a Shareholder in the Knoxville office, is an advocate for employers and businesses across the state. Her practice focuses on employment and appellate law. Ms. Hayes has successfully defended all types of employment claims including sexual harassment, retaliatory discharge, discrimination, workers’ compensation, invasion of privacy, wage/hour claims, and denial of benefits. She has also argued more than 50 appeals in Tennessee’s appellate courts, including the Supreme ...

Rodney A. Fields, managing shareholder of the Knoxville office, joined Lewis Thomason in 1991. He is Chairman of the firm’s Board of Directors and manages the firm’s Business Practice Group. Mr. Fields divides his practice between litigation and transactional work. His practice focuses primarily in the areas of business law, commercial litigation, bankruptcy and casualty defense litigation. Mr. Fields also serves as legal counsel to multiple local motor vehicle dealerships and nat...

Shannon Coleman Egle's extensive legal knowledge, coupled with a practical and responsive approach, allows her to help her clients achieve their business goals, which ultimately results in their businesses operating more smoothly and profitably. Her practice areas include healthcare regulation and transactions, general business consulting and transactions, as well as real estate acquisition and development and representation of individuals in civil tax controversies before both the IRS and th...

Joshua Hedrick has practiced criminal defense law in Tennessee since 2006. He possesses extensive trial experience, with particular focus on homicide cases. His work obtaining a new trial for and exoneration of Raynella Dossett Leath was featured on CBS’s 48 Hours ( July 14, 2018, Season 30, Episode 54 ). He is dedicated to the cause of indigent defense. He has successfully argued cases before the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and the Tennessee Supreme Court and defended citizens ...