Sara Compher-Rice

Hillary B. Jones is a shareholder in the firm’s Knoxville office. Ms. Jones focuses her practice on medical malpractice defense and appellate matters. She maintains an in-depth knowledge of the comprehensive changes to the statutes governing health care liability actions as well as Tennessee’s significant tort reform. Ms. Jones is particularly interested in complex medical matters and has a passion for researching and analyzing the intricacies and details of each individual case. ...

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 ...

Michael J. King currently serves as managing partner for the firm. He graduated from Syracuse University with a B.A. in mathematics and political science. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, with a deferred service commitment to attend law school. Mike obtained his law degree from The University of Tennessee College of Law in 1992. He then served for four years in the United States Air Force as a Judge Advocate. He is licensed in Tennessee ...

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...

Stephen Ross Johnson is a partner with Ritchie, Dillard, Davies and Johnson, PC in Knoxville, and is a criminal defense trial and appellate attorney. Mr. Johnson has defended criminal cases in state and federal courts throughout the United States, ranging from complex white-collar financial crimes to death penalty cases. Mr. Johnson has argued or briefed cases before the Supreme Court of the United States; the Supreme Court of Tennessee; the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Six...

Warren Gooch received his undergraduate degree firm The University of Tennessee with high honors and has practiced law with the firm of Kramer Rayson LLP since completing his legal education at the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1977. He established the firm's health law practice in 1987 and has extensive experience in health care law, including regulatory, administrative, litigation and transactional matters. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Associatio...

Broderick L. Young is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Insurance, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Broderick L. practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Broderick L. Young since 2021. 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 regar...

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 ...

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...

Sam C. Doak is a shareholder in Lewis Thomason’s Knoxville office. Sam has been a trial attorney for over 35 years and focuses his practice primarily on civil trial litigation, arbitration and mediation in practice areas ranging from complex construction matters, product liability, marine product liability, commercial business disputes, employment litigation, transportation litigation, and general insurance defense. Sam served in several leadership positions in the Knoxville Bar Associa...