W. Kyle Carpenter

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 ...

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...

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....

Norman G. Templeton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Norman G., who practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Norman G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stacie D. Miller is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Stacie D., who practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stacie D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Edward (“Ward”) Phillips has a wealth of knowledge and trial experience in his practice areas of Labor and Employment Law. Ward represents management exclusively in all areas of employment and labor relations, including state and federal employment litigation and in administrative proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the United States Department of Labor, and the National Labor Relations Board. He is a forceful, effective litigator. Ward has been describ...

Nathaniel D. Moore is a meticulous and knowledgeable litigator who joined the firm as an associate in 2018. Nate maintains a diverse civil litigation practice that focuses primarily on insurance law, employment law, and civil rights matters. Nate practiced in courts across East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia for six years prior to joining the firm. He has extensive experience representing employers, insurers, and individual clients before various state and federal courts and administrative ...

Steve has over 35 years of experience working with a broad cross-section of industries and management teams in his practice areas of Employment and Labor, Corporate and Transactional and Sports Law. He provides sound and practical legal advice to his clients and proactively interacts with management teams in some of the most critical aspects of their businesses. He has provided numerous management training and civic group presentations on employment and sports law issues. He also serves as a ...

Rick Powers graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1975 and was Order of the Coif. He has more than 40 years of general civil trial practice experience with more than 350 jury trials. His practice areas now primarily include health care liability for hospitals, nursing homes, and physicians; insurance defense in trucking, automobile, and homeowners’ cases; and other commercial litigation. Over the last five years, Mr. Powers has successfully tried five ...