Mediation Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
William D. "Bill" Vines III
Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
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 courts. In 1986, he served as President of the Knoxville Bar Association and served many years on the Board of Governors. He is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association,
American Bar Association, U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association, Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, Lawyer Pilots Bar Association, and American Inns of Court (Master of the Bench Emeritus). His experience and abilities as a trial lawyer were recognized by his election to the International Society of Barristers (Fellow). He was the 1998 recipient of the Legal Writing Award from the Knoxville Bar Association, selected as one of the Best Lawyers in Knoxville in 2007, and selected as one of the Best Lawyers in America in 2007. Hobbies include flying, snow skiing, fly fishing, hiking and entertainment of grandchildren!
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 courts. In 1986, he served as President of the Knoxville Bar Association and served many years on the Board of Governors. He is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association,
American Bar Association, U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association, Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, Lawyer Pilots Bar Association, and American Inns of Court (Master of the Bench Emeritus). His experience and abilities as a trial lawyer were recognized by his election to the International Society of Barristers (Fellow). He was the 1998 recipient of the Legal Writing Award from the Knoxville Bar Association, selected as one of the Best Lawyers in Knoxville in 2007, and selected as one of the Best Lawyers in America in 2007. Hobbies include flying, snow skiing, fly fishing, hiking and entertainment of grandchildren!
Overview
- The University of Tennessee, J.D., graduated 1966
- Tennessee, Tennessee Bar Association
- American Association for Justice - Member
- American Bar Association - Member
- American Inns of Court - Master, Bench Emeritus
- Knoxville Bar Association - Member
- Lawyer Pilot Bar Association - Member
- Tennessee Bar Association - Member
- Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association - Member
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association - Member
- Tennessee, Tennessee Bar Association
- American Association for Justice - Member
- American Bar Association - Member
- American Inns of Court - Master, Bench Emeritus
- Knoxville Bar Association - Member
- Lawyer Pilot Bar Association - Member
- Tennessee Bar Association - Member
- Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association - Member
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association - Member
- The University of Tennessee, J.D., graduated 1966
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus

Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Knoxville (2025)
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, Knoxville (2025)
- Mediation, Knoxville (2022)
- Mediation, Knoxville (2019)
- Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Knoxville (2017)
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, Knoxville (2016)
- Mediation, Knoxville (2015)
- Mediation, Knoxville (2013)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Mediation
- Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Personal Injury Litigation
Awards:
- Fellow, International Society of Barristers
- Listed Mediator in both State and Federal Courts, Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31
- Member, Outstanding Lawyers of America
- Named one of the Top Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2007 - 2009
- Governors' Award - Knoxville Bar Association
News & Media
Case History
Cases
- Personal Injury Cases
Notable cases include a lender liability verdict of $7.5 million dollars, and numerous other large verdicts including a $1 million dollar medical malpractice verdict, a $1 million dollar verdict for environmental contamination, and an $865,000 verdict for failure to diagnose scoliosis resulting in major surgery for a child. Verdicts in 2008 include $2.75 million dollars (breast cancer case in Tennessee) and $5.8 million dollars (quadriplegia case in Michigan).
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