Wayne A. Kline

Wayne A. Kline earned his undergraduate degree with honors, as well as a Master of Science in Administration, from the University of Tennessee. He began his career in academia as an Associate Professor in Audiology and Speech Pathology at the university’s Knoxville campus, where he spent several years as an Associate Professor before pursuing a career in law.

He received his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1988. After completing a clerkship, he joined Hodges, Doughty & Carson, where he has built a long-standing and respected legal practice.

Wayne has remained deeply engaged in the legal community throughout his career. He is a member of the Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association, Defense Research Institute, and the American Inns of Court. He has served on the Board of Governors of the Knoxville Bar Association and currently chairs its Senior Lawyers Section. In recognition of his dedication and service, he was honored with the Association’s President’s Award in 2005 and again in 2012.

In 2006, Wayne was appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court to serve on the Disciplinary Hearing Committee for District II. He has also devoted significant time to community service, including serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Free Medical Clinic of America for two decades. He has provided long-time legal counsel to The Knoxville Center of the Deaf and The Verbotonal Society of The Americas, and has served on the Board of Directors of the Blount Hearing & Speech Foundation.

Wayne’s practice focuses on litigation, with extensive experience in healthcare-related matters, including medical, hospital, dental, and long-term care defense. He also represents clients in employment and human resources matters, personal injury cases, zoning and land use disputes, and general liability litigation, including mass torts. In addition, he advises businesses, medical practices, and other organizations on corporate and employment-related issues. He also represents licensed professionals before regulatory boards. Recently, Wayne has been retained to assist in the development and legal representation of adventure parks in Tennessee.

Known for his steady approach, versatility, and depth of experience, Wayne is committed to providing thoughtful, practical guidance and strong advocacy for his clients.

Areas of Practice

• Insurance Defense
• Medical Malpractice Defense
• Healthcare Entities and Physician Practice Representation
• Healthcare Litigation
• Nursing Home and Long-Term Care Defense
• Employment and Human Resources Law
• Harassment & Discrimination
• Not for Profit Legal Liability and Litigation
• Zoning, Planning & Land Use

Litigation Percentage

• 70% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
• 30% of Practice Devoted to Representation of Corporate Entities

Bar Admissions

• Tennessee, 1988
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1988
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee
• U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1991

Education

• University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee J.D. – 1988
• University of Tennessee - Master of Science - Major: Administration
• University of Tennessee B.S. - Honors: With Honors

Honors & Awards

• Appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court to the Disciplinary Hearing Committee for District II
• President’s Award, Knoxville Bar Association, 2005
• Legal Aid of East Tennessee Pro Bono Partner Award, 2005
• Knoxville Center of the Deaf Community Service Award, 2005
• The Free Medical Clinic of America Leadership Award, 2006
• Cityview 2011 Top Knoxville Attorney – Nursing Home Liability-Defense & Wrongful Death-Defense
• Cityview 2012 Top Knoxville Attorney – Nursing Home Liability – Defense
• Best Lawyers in America 2013 – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Cityview 2013 Top Knoxville Attorney – Health Care Law; Labor & Employment Law-Employer; Medical Malpractice-Defense; Nursing Home Liability-Defensse; Wrongful Death-Defense
• Knoxville Bar Association – Pro Bono Project 2013 Award
• Best Lawyers in America 2014 – Medical Malpractice Law-Defendants
• Cityview 2014 Top Knoxville Attorney – Nursing Home Liability – Defense, Medical Malpractice – Defense, Health Care Law, Professional Malpractice Defense, Administrative Law
• Best Lawyers in America 2015 – Medical Malpractice Law-Defendants
• Cityview 2015 Top Knoxville Attorney – Professional Malpractice – Defense, Nursing Home Liability – Defense, Medical Malpractice – Defense
• Best Lawyers in America 2016 – Medical Malpractice Law-Defendants. Listed as Best Lawyer since 2013.
• Cityview 2016 Top Knoxville Attorney – Health Care Law, Medical Malpractice – Defese, Nursing Home Liability – Defense, Professional Malpractice – Defense
• Best Lawyers in America 2017 – Medical Malpractice Law-Defendants
• Cityview 2017 Top Knoxville Attorney – Medical Malpractice-Defense, Nursing Home Liability-Defense
• Cityview 2018 Top Knoxville Attorney – Nursing Home Liability-Defense
• Best Lawyers in America 2018 - Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
• Best Lawyers in America 2022 - Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
• CityView Top Attorneys for 2025 Administrative Law
• CityView Top Attorneys for 2025 Appellate Practice
• CityView Top Attorneys for 2025 Consumer Protection—Defense
• CityView Top Attorneys for 2025 Federal Court Practice
• CityView Top Attorneys for 2025 Health Care Law
• CityView Top Attorneys for 2025 Labor & Employment Law—Employee
• CityView Top Attorneys for 2025 Labor & Employment Law—Employer
• CityView Top Attorneys for 2025 Nursing Home Liability—Defense
• CityView Top Attorneys for 2025 Personal Injury—Auto Accident—Defens
• CityView Top Attorneys for 2025 Professional Malpractice—Defense
• CityView Top Attorneys for 2025 Wrongful Death—Defense

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association
• Defense Research Institute
• Knoxville Bar Association, (member, Board of Governors)
• Tennessee Bar Association
• Chairman, Board of Directors of Free Medical Clinic
• Secretary, Board of Directors of Knoxville Center of the Deaf
• American Inns of Court
• Board Member, Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble

Past Employment Positions

• Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Associate Professor