W. Kyle Carpenter

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...

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...

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(...

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...

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...

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...

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 E. Winters, an effective trial lawyer with over 23 years of experience, focuses his practice in the areas of Labor and Employment and Commercial Litigation. His vast knowledge and experience coupled with a common sense approach to resolving disputes is vital to helping his clients save not only money but also valuable time away from their businesses. He takes the time to understand his clients' needs and legal goals and looks for cost-effective solutions that will get them the results th...

Wade Davies has tried complex cases for over thirty years. In August 2025, he was sworn in as President of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has served on the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee and now represents attorneys in matters before the Board. Mr. Davies has concentrated on state and federal investigations and criminal trials throughout his career. Mr. Davies graduated first in his class from the University of Tennessee Colle...

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...