News Worthy

New Associate Joins Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC

Nathan E. (Ned) Morgan became an associate of the firm on April 15, 2013. Prior to joining Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC, Mr. Morgan served as General Counsel and Vice President of Operations for a social media software development company. Mr. Morgan’s practice focuses primarily in the areas of commercial law, bankruptcy and business litigation. Mr. Morgan earned a B.A. in Politics at Wake Forest University, and a J.D. and an M.B.A. from the University of Tennessee.

Speaking With the Tennessee State Governor

The Managing Partner, T. Kenan Smith, of Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC, had an opportunity to speak with Tennessee State Governor Bill Haslam at a Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Breakfast on February 22, 2013.

Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC Member
Selected by Tennessee Bar Foundation

Roy L. Aaron has recently been elected a Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation, an association of 766 attorneys across the state. Invitations to membership, which is a position of honor, were extended to 30 attorneys this year by the Board of Trustees. The introduction of new Fellows took place at the annual Fellows' Dinner in Nashville.

Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC Welcomes New Member

Oliver D. Adams became a Member of the firm effective January 1, 2013. Mr. Adams joined Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC in 2007 as an associate. His practice focuses primarily in the areas of representing financial institutions, commercial law, creditor's rights and real estate/commercial transactions. Typical client engagements include assisting community banks, credit unions and small businesses with issues ranging from foreclosure and collections to employment contracts and commercial real estate transactions.

He received his undergraduate degree in economics with a concentration in business policy from Emory University in 2003. He graduated Summa Cum Laude and was Valedictorian of his class from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2007. He was the recipient of the Outstanding Graduate for the Class of 2007 and is a member of the Order of the Coif.

Fortune's Top Ranked Law Firms

Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC was among the nation's most elite law firms recognized recently in the LexisNexis Martindale Hubbell 2013 U.S. Top Ranked Law Firms list which was published in the December 24, 2012, issue of Fortune magazine. Complied by Lexis Nexis Martindale-Hubbell, the list includes 2,421 U.S. law firms. To be included a firm must have a minimum of 10 attorneys and at least 33% of its attorneys must have achieved an AV Preeminent rating. More than 254,000 law firms were considered in the selection process, but less than one-half of one percent of firms across the nation were included among the top ranked firms.

An attorney's AV Preeminent rating indicates the highest level of ethical standards and legal ability, as determined by the attorney's peers of the bar and judiciary, in a confidential poll. The legal community members who provide the ratings have experience working with the attorney under review.

A special section featuring the 2013 U.S. Top Ranked Law Firms appears in Fortune's "2013 Investors Guide" (published December 24, 2012), as well as the January 2013 editions of The American Lawyer and Corporate Counsel. It also appears on LAW.COM and CNNMoney.com.

Special Counsel joins Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC

ChristopherA. Hall joined Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC as Special Counsel on November 19, 2012.  Mr. Hall received his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Tennessee in 1979, his Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis in 1982, and his Masters in Taxation from the University of Florida in 1983. Mr. Hall practiced law in St. Louis for two years, and he has practiced in Knoxville since 1985. Mr. Hall represents health care professionals, businesses, real estate developers, family farmers and technology entrepreneurs. Mr. Hall performs due diligence for clients contemplating an investment in start-up companies and in more complex investment vehicles, including debentures, stock warrants and mezzanine debt facilities.  He has lectured for many years at continuing legal education seminars regarding Federal and state taxation, wealth transfer strategies, compensation planning and design, partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies. Mr. Hall served the Tennessee Supreme Court as a Commissioner of the Tennessee Lawyer Assistance Program for nine years and as its Chairman for three years.  Mr. Hall has worked extensively with the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility and with the Tennessee Lawyer Assistance Program in connection with attorneys having disciplinary and licensure issues.

US News Best Law Firm Ranking (2013)

Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC was listed among firms receiving a Tier 1 ranking in the 2013 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms." This year nearly 10,000 firms in 118 practice areas in 170 metropolitan areas and 8 states were ranked. Rankings were determined through the firm's overall evaluation derived from a combination of client feedback, the high regard of lawyers in other firms in the same practice areas and information about the firm provided to U.S. News. Hodges, Doughty & Carson's first-tier rankings are:

Metropolitan First Tier Rankings
Commercial Litigation
Litigation – Eminent Domain & Condemnation
Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Workers' Compensation Law - Employers

Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC continues to take pride in the professional leadership positions held by several of its attorneys, including two former presidents of the Tennessee Bar Association, five past presidents and the 2012 president of the Knoxville Bar Association.

Hodges Doughty & Carson welcomes new associate (10/2012)

William D. Edwards became an associate of the firm on October 16, 2012, after practicing with another Knoxville law firm for three years. Mr. Edwards' practice focuses primarily in the areas of taxation, estate planning, estate administration, business succession planning, charitable planning, business transactions, and tax-exempt organizations. He attended law school at Mississippi College School of Law (2008) and then earned a Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.) from the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis (2009). Mr. Edwards is admitted to practice in both Tennessee and Mississippi.

2013 Best Lawyers in America "Lawyers of the Year"

Roy L. Aaron has been named the Best Lawyers' 2013 Knoxville Litigation – Trusts & Estates "Lawyer of the Year."

Robert R. Campbell has been named the Best Lawyers' 2013 Knoxville Arbitration "Lawyer of the Year."

Edward G. White, II has been named the Best Lawyers' 2013 Knoxville Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants "Lawyer of the Year."

Other HDC attorneys selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2013 are as follows by specialty:

CityView Top Knoxville Attorneys (7/2012)

Each year Cityview invites members of the local bar association to vote for local Knoxville attorneys in 63 categories who they would call on or make referrals to. More than 17,800 votes were cast during the 2012 voting process. Many of Hodges Doughty & Carson attorneys were included among the winners of the Cityview 2012 Top Attorneys of Knoxville.

Best Lawyers 2012

Several of the firm's attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2012. Their names and areas of practice are as follows

Top Ranked Tennessee Law Firm (12/2011)

Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC was listed in the December edition of Fortune magazine as part of Martindale-Hubbell's 1st ever Top Ranked Law Firms. Out of 254,000 firms rated by Martindale Hubbell, only 966 firms were selected nationally, for having at least one-third (33%) of their attorneys achieve an AV Preeminent rating. A total of 25 firms ranked for the entire state of Tennessee and there were four in Knoxville.

US News Best Law Firm Ranking (2011-2012)

Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC was listed among the first and second tier national rankings in the November 2011 edition of U.S.News & World Report's special Money issue. The firm's first-tier national rankings also appeared in the 2011-2012 "Best Law Firms" stand-alone publication. The firm's rankings are:

Tier 1

• Construction Law
• Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
• Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
• Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
• Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
• Trusts & Estates Law
• Workers' Compensation Law - Employers

Tier 2

• Commercial Litigation
• Litigation - Construction
• Litigation - Trusts & Estates
• Mediation

The firm also takes pride in professional leadership positions held by several of its attorneys, including two former presidents of the Tennessee Bar Association and five past presidents of the Knoxville Bar Association.

Knoxville Bar Association President (1/2012)

J. William Coley, Member, has served as an officer of the Knoxville Bar Association since January 1, 2008. Mr. Coley's term as President of the Knoxville Bar Association commenced January 1, 2012.

We Proudly Welcome a New Member (1/2012)

W. Michael Baisley became a Member of the firm effective January 1, 2012. Mr. Baisley joined Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC in 2009 after practicing with another Knoxville law firm for four years. He received his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2005. Mr. Baisley practices in the areas of business transactions and commercial litigation which includes bankruptcy, commercial law, construction, corporate law, real estate and transactional matters.

Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC Managing Partner (1/2012)

T. Kenan Smith became Managing Partner of Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC on January 1, 2012. Mr. Smith has been affiliated with the firm since 1987.

2012 Knoxville Bar Association Barristers President

Josh Bond was elected Vice President of the Knoxville Bar Association Barristers for 2011 and has recently assumed the Presidency for 2012.

2011 Mid South Rising Star

Joshua M. Ball was recently selected for inclusion on the Mid South Rising Stars 2011 list. This ranking is awarded to lawyers who have attained high peer recognition, meet ethical standards and have demonstrated some degree of achievement in their field. Mr. Ball was selected for his work in Personal Injury Defense: General.

Mid-South Super Lawyers 2011

Three of the firm's attorneys were also selected for inclusion on the Md-South Super Lawyers 2011 list. Included are: Thomas H. Dickenson and Dean B. Farmer for their work in Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights and Dalton L. Townsend for his work in Personal Injury Defense: General.

CityView Top Knoxville Attorneys (7/2011)

Each year Citiview invites members of the local bar association to vote for local Knoxville attorneys in 57 categories who they would call on or make referrals to. More than 20,000 votes were cast during the 2011 voting process. Sixteen of Hodges Doughty & Carson PLLC attorneys were included among the winners of the Citiview 2011 Top Attorneys of Knoxville.

Recognition for Assuring Equal Access to Justice for Low-Income Persons

In a public ceremony on July 21, 2011, Justice Gary Wade presented Wesley Stone with an award from the Pro Bono Project with Legal Aid of East Tennessee recognizing his efforts in "assuring equal access to justice for low-income persons". Mr. Stone assisted a maternal grandmother in terminating the parental rights of a father who executed the children's mother. It was proved that there was clear and convincing evidence that grounds for termination existed and that it was in the children's best interest to terminate the father's rights. The father appealed and the Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed the trial court's termination order. The grandmother was allowed to adopt the children.

Hodges Doughty & Carson PLLC welcomes new member (1/2011)

E. Michael Brezina, III became a member of the firm on January 1, 2011. Michael Brezina graduated Cum Laude from the University of Tennessee, College of Law in 2004. Mr. Brezina's practice is devoted primarily to medical malpractice defense, general civil litigation and commercial litigation.

2010 Best Lawyers in America (2010)

Several of the firm's attorneys were included among those selected as 2010 Best Lawyers in America. Included are: Dean B. Farmer for his work in Commercial Litigation, Robert R. Campbell for Alternative Dispute Resolution, Albert J. Harb for Construction Law, Dalton L. Townsend for Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation and David N. Wedekind for Workers' Compensation Law.

Super Lawyers Business & Transactions (2010)

Two of Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC's attorneys, Thomas H. Dickenson and Dean B. Farmer, were again selected as 2010 Super Lawyers Business & Transactions for their work in Bankruptcy.

Super Lawyers - Litigation (2010)

Dalton L. Townsend was selected for inclusion as one of 2010's Super Lawyers - Litigation as well as 2010's Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition. Mr. Townsend was selected for his work in Personal Injury Defense: General.

2010 Mid-South Super Lawyers

The following Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2010 Mid-South Super Lawyers list. Only five percent (5%) of the attorneys in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi are chosen each year.

Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights Thomas H. Dickenson
Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights Dean B. Farmer
Personal Injury Defense: General Dalton L. Townsend
Workers' Compensation John W. Wheeler

Knoxville Bar Association Officer (1/10)
J. William Coley. Managing Partner of Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC, began his term as Treasurer of the Knoxville Bar Association on January 1, 2010.

Lisa Hall	Kandi Yeager

We Proudly Welcome Two New Members (1/10)
Lisa Hall and Kandi Yeager became members of the firm on January 1. 2010. Ms. Hall graduated magna cum laude from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1997. She joined Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC as an associate in 1997. Her practice is primarily devoted to general civil litigation, including motor vehicle, premises liability, construction, and insurance coverage matters. Ms. Yeager graduated magna cum laude from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2002 and joined Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC as an associate in 2003. Her practice concentration is bankruptcy, commercial, corporate, and business law.

Newest Associate (11/09)
After practicing with another Knoxville law firm for four years, W. Michael Baisley became an associate with Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC on November 23, 2009. Mr. Baisley practices in the areas of business transactions and commercial litigation.

Best in Tennessee 2009 (1/09)
Edward (Ted) White has been included once again among Tennessee's Top 150 Lawyers. He has now been listed in the January 2009, 2008, and 2007 editions of Business TN Magazine. Ted White is recognized for his exceptional work in the area of medical malpractice defense.

Dean Farmer	Dalton Townsend

Mid-South Super Lawyers (12/08)
Dean B. Farmer and Dalton B. Townsend were selected for inclusion on the Mid-South Super Lawyers list for 2008. Selections are made through an extensive process of peer nominations, blue ribbon panel review and independent research. Only 5% of Arkansas, Mississipp, and Tennessee attorneys were named to the list. Dean Farmer was selected for his work in the area of bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights, Dalton Townsend for his work in the area of personal injury defense: general.

KBA Golden Gala Honorees (11/08)
Three of Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC's own were among 52 of their colleagues honored by members of the Knoxville Bar Association at a Golden Gala held the evening of November 15, 2008. Robert C. Campbell, Of Counsel, Jonathan H. Burnett, Retired, and David E. Smith, Retired, began the practice of law more than 50 years ago. They were honored for their many years of service to the legal profession, as well as the community and citizens at large.

Kristi Davis	Chris Heagerty

HDC Lawyers Win Jury Verdict (10/08)
Kristi Davis and Christopher Heagerty recently tried a case in Hamilton County, where they alleged that their client had been wrongfully terminated from her employment. The jury found in their favor and returned a verdict of $518,000.00

Criminal Defense Associate (8/08)
After being engaged primarily in the private practice of law since 2000, Wesley D. Stone became an associate with Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC on August 1, 2008. Mr. Stone's practice focuses on criminal defense.

Knoxville's Top Attorneys 2008 (8/08)
Thomas (Tom) H. Dickenson was listed among CityView Magazine's Top Attorneys of 2008. More than 1,000 attorneys voted which lawyers they would send their family and friends to. Tom Dickenson is among them for his practice in bankruptcy and restructuring.

On January 2, 2008, Joshua J. Bond became a member of the firm. Josh Bond received his law degree from the University of Memphis in 2000. Prior to becoming an associate with Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC in 2002, he served a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Joe G. Riley. Josh's practice concentration is medical malpractice defense and general civil litigation.

Ted White	Tom Dickenson

Best in Tennessee (01/08)
Edward (Ted) White and Tom Dickenson were included among Tennessee's Top 150 Layers once again this year inthe January 2008 edition of Tennessee Business magazine. In 2007 both attorneys were among the Top 150 Tennessee Lawyers listed in the January edition of the Tennessee Business magazine. Ted White was included for his work in the area of medical malpractice defense and Tom Dickenson for his work in the area of bankruptcy. They were selected from among nearly 18,000 attorneys in Tennessee in a poll of leading attorneys, judges, and corporate executives across the state.

Knoxville Top Attorneys for 2007 (09/07)
Several attorneys with Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC, PLLC were voted top in their field by colleagues in the Knoxville legal community and were presented as Knoxville Top Attorneys for 2007 in the September publication of CityView Magazine. They are: Thomas H. Dickenson , Bankruptcy; Dean B. Farmer, Constitutional/Civil Rights Law; Albert J. Harb , Construction Law; Hiram G. Tipton , Environmental Law; Edward (Ted) White, II , Hospital and Health Care Law and Professional Malpractice; and Roy L. Aaron , Wills and Estate Planning.

Kristi Davis	Josh Ball

We Proudly Welcome Two New Members (12/06)
Kristi Davis and Josh Ball became members of the firm on January 1. 2007. Ms. Davis graduated magna cum laude from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1998 and she served in a judicial clerkship for two years before joining Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC as an associate in 2000. Her practice is primarily devoted to tort law and appellate matters. Mr. Ball graduated from the University of Memphis law school in 2000 and served in a judicial clerkship for one year before joining Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC as an associate in 2001. His practice concentration is general civil litigation.

Leading by Example (11/06)
Joshua Ball has been accepted as a member of the Tennessee Bar Association's Class of 2007 Leadership Law Program. The Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law Program is for emerging leaders in the Tennessee legal community.

David Wedekind	Albert Harb

Named Best Lawyers in the U.S. (9/06)
David Wedekind has been selected as one of the best workers comp lawyers and Albert Harb as one of the best lawyers in commercial litigation and in personal injury litigation in the United States by The Best of the U.S. LLC. They were included among 14,268 lawyers chosen from 760,369 actively practicing lawyers in the United States. Their selection was based on recognition by their peers.

Welcome Aboard (9/06)
Oliver Adams has accepted an associate position with our firm following his graduation from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2007. Oliver ranks Number One in his class after two years at the University of Tennessee College of Law. He has clerked for the firm since May 2005.

The First 50 Years are in the Books (9/06)
Bob Campbell celebrated 50 years of practicing law on July 26. The firm's attorneys and staff honored him with a surprise reception. We are truly grateful for his leadership provided to our firm over the years.

Tabbed Best Bankruptcy Lawyer in Town (9/06)
Tom Dickenson was named in the August 2006 issue of CityView Magazine as the best bankruptcy lawyer in Knoxville. Other Knoxville attorneys made the selection from nominations. The article stated, "Our top bankruptcy attorney got the votes for being the person to call when the financial situation is looking bleak. It takes a smart, professional attorney to get the job done and this lawyer takes the win". He also received the 2005 DICTA award from the Knoxville Bar Association for a series of articles on amendments to the Bankruptcy Code.

We Don't Expect It, But It's Always Good to Hear
Source: Knoxville Bar Association February 2006 "DICTA" newsletter.

"The 2005 Knoxville Bar Association Pro Bono Award went to Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC and to each lawyer in the firm who participated in the Pro Bono Project during the year. In naming HDC the Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year, we recognized the firm's commitment to serving the community and our profession by dedicating a significant amount of its resources to ensure that justice is available to low income persons. A law firm, much like the Pro Bono Project, is a collaborative effort. By presenting an award to each of HDC's participating lawyers, the Pro Bono Project offered a token of thanks to those lawyers for their individual service."

We serve the needs of a range of clients, including Tennessee residents and out-of-state clients, throughout eastern Tennessee and the Smoky Mountain region.