Wayne A. Kline

Ben Jones is a shareholder in the Knoxville office of Lewis Thomason. Mr. Jones' practice primarily concentrates on personal injury, insurance and casualty defense in civil litigation with his primary emphasis in the areas of hospitality litigation, amusement litigation, commercial vehicle/automobile litigation, professional liability and general tort defense. Mr. Jones has defended wrongful death and other catastrophic injury cases and has extensive trial experience in courts throughout East...

Mikel Towe is a shareholder in the firm’s Knoxville office and joined the office in 2013 after graduation from law school. Mr. Towe graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law and devotes his practice to civil litigation focusing primarily in the areas of insurance litigation involving automobile and trucking accidents, products liability, commercial liability, general liability, as well as insurance coverage and claims litigation. Mr. Towe handles matters in both state an...

Taylor A. Williams received his undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee, graduating with honors. He received his law degree from The University of Tennessee College of Law in 2009, graduating with high honors. In law school, Taylor’s case commentary was published in school’s business law journal. Since joining the firm, Taylor has over ten years of complex litigation practice, focusing on commercial disputes and defense of products liability actions in ...

F. Braxton Terry is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. F. Braxton, who practices law in Morristown, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which F. Braxton is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeffrey Whitt is a highly respected criminal defense attorney based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Known for his formidable presence in state and federal courtrooms across Tennessee, he has built a reputation as a skilled trial lawyer and relentless advocate for his clients. Jeff earned his law degree from Samford University in 1991 and holds a bachelor’s degree from Maryville College, where he was an Academic All-American and All-Conference honoree in both football and tennis. An active lead...

Kim Burnette is a partner with Arnett, Draper & Hagood, where his practice focuses on tort litigation, product liability, workers’ compensation, mediation, and insurance issues. Kim is an East Tennessee native who received his J.D. degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1985, graduating with honors. Upon graduation, he served a one year judicial clerkship with United States Magistrate Judge John Y. Powers in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Thereafter he returned to Knoxvi...

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...

Emily L. Herman-Thompson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Emily L., who practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Emily L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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 ...

Bill Vines was admitted to the courts of the State of Tennessee and the United States District Court for the Eastern District in 1966. He is admitted to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals and in 1972 was admitted to the United States Supreme Court. He is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization and by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 listed mediator both in state and federal co...