Richard S. Matlock

John T. (Tom) Johnson, Jr., is a highly skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable civil trial lawyer who has over 48 years of jury trial experience. He is passionate about providing ethical, efficient, and effective representation for his clients in his practice areas of General Litigation, Insurance Defense, Insurance Coverage and Arson and Fire Claims. While every case presents different scenarios and challenges, Mr. Johnson focuses diligently on each case and the clients he represents, and h...

Practice Areas: 31 years litigating at trial and appellate levels in Commercial, Construction, Insurance Defense, Medical Malpractice Defense, Personal Injury, Product Liability, and Wrongful Death disputes. She is a Rule 31 Listed Mediator in General Civil Mediation. Admitted: Tennessee; Texas; U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee; U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; U. S. Supreme Court. Academic: University of Tennessee: 1986, B. S., with highest honors; 1991...

Marshall Stair, a shareholder in the firm’s Knoxville office, concentrates his practice in employment law with an emphasis on the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA/wage & hour/overtime), insurance casualty defense, and general commercial and tort litigation. While attending law school, he worked for the United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, assisting federal investigations enforcing the Fair Labor Standards Act. After earning his degree from the University of Tenne...

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...

Jonathan Cooper offers decades of experience, unsurpassed personal attention, and zealous representation to his clients. He focuses his practice exclusively in the area of criminal defense, representing citizens accused of crimes in both state and federal courts. His experience of successful representation encompasses the entire spectrum of the criminal justice system, from DUI to homicide, and from narcotics possession to white collar offenses. Jonathan is a career long member of the Knoxvil...

Wayne A. Ritchie II is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Wayne A. practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Wayne A. Ritchie II since 2018. 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 Wayne A. Ritchie II is held by ot...

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...

Thomas M. Hale is an experienced, skilled and effective trial and transactional lawyer who brings a wealth of knowledge to his clients in his practice areas of: Corporate and Transactional Employment and Labor Estate Planning, Administration and Trusts Local Government and Public Utilities Real Estate Professional Liability Litigation Commercial Corporate Municipal Land Use/Zoning He is a solution seeker and problem solver and works hard as an advocate for his clients in an honest, straight-f...

David Chapman, a shareholder in the firm’s Knoxville office, focuses primarily on the defense of local and national transportation companies, brokers and commercial motor operators, including medical and liability expert retention and discovery, accident investigation and evaluation, and pre-trial, trial and appellate litigation. He has also worked with multiple motor carriers and transportation companies regarding post-accident protocols and FMCSA compliance. Mr. Chapman’s practi...

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...