James F. Parker
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James' Areas of Practice
James received his undergraduate degree magna cum laude in political science with a concentration in public administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and received his law degree magna cum laude from Washington and Lee School of Law. Between undergraduate and law school, James served as legislative aid to the Senate Judiciary Committee of the 107th Tennessee General Assembly. During law school, James spent a full summer as a judicial intern for then-Chief Justice Gary Wade of the Tennessee Supreme Court and an entire academic year as a law clerk-extern for Senior Justice Lawrence Koontz of the Virginia Supreme Court. Also while in law school, James served as the notes editor for the Washington and Lee Journal on Civil Rights and Social Justice. Before joining Hodges, Doughty & Carson as an associate, James served a two-year appointment as a judicial law clerk for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee—a portion of that time as a law clerk for Chief District Judge Thomas A. Varlan and the remainder working for all eight district court judges.
James concentrates his practice primarily in the areas of corporate law, business and commercial law, and construction law. Part of his business practice focuses on the representation of business debtors in restructuring and liquidation proceedings under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, and the representation of business and individual debtors in predatory lending and lender liability actions. His construction practice includes the representation of owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals in litigation and transactional matters related to public and private projects. James also has experience handling complex civil litigation and defending class actions.
An East Tennessee native, James enjoys spending time with his family, his wife Rachel, and their dogs and cats. An Eagle Scout from Troop 6 in Knoxville, his favorite activities include sailing, hiking, swimming, and relaxing at the Parker family cabin located in Sevier County, Tennessee.
Bar Admissions
- Tennessee
- US District Court Eastern District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee
- U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
Education
- Washington and Lee University School of Law, Lexington, Virginia, JD, Magna Cum Laude – 2015
- Recipient of J. Hardin and Heather Marion Scholarships
- Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice, Notes Editor
- University of Tennessee, BS, Magna Cum Laude, 2012
Honors and Awards
- John W. Davis Appellate Advocacy Competition, Finalist
- American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Competition, Regional Champion
- National Moot Court Competition, Regional Semi-Finalist
- City View 2019 Top Knoxville Attorney-Bankruptcy Debtor
- Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch 2021 – Commercial Litigation; Construction Law
- Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch 2022 - Commercial Litigation; Construction Law
- Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch 2023 – Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Litigation – Banking and Finance
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Knoxville Bar Association
- Hamilton Burnett American Inn of Court
Publications
- Revival of Substantive Equity: Increased Household Risk, Safety Valve Litigation and Availability of the ERISA Stock Drop Jury, 21 Wash. & Lee J. Civ. Rts. & Soc. Just. 425 (2015).
Past Employment Position
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Judicial Clerk, 2015-2017