Being a pilot made me a better lawyer. Flying requires discipline, organization, and the ability to plan ahead. I obtained my pilots instruction from Evelyn Johnson of Morristown, TN and later was approved for my flying certificate from her since she is an FAA flight examiner. I hold a private pilots license, land with an instrument and multi engine rating, I have logged more than 4000 hours as pilot in command of an aircraft. Being a pilot has allowed me to fly across the southeast, not only to meet with clients but to attend hearings and trials, since most small towns now have airports.
Born: Kodak, Tennessee
Admitted to practice Tennessee, 1962 U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, 1962 U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth and Eleventh Circuits, 1966 U.S. Supreme Court, 1995
Education Maryville College (B.S., 1958) University of Tennessee at Knoxville, LL.B., 1962, Phi Alpha Delta Instructor, National College of Advocacy, 1979-1980
Member Knoxville Junior (President, 1965), Tennessee and American Bar Associations Tennessee Association for Justice (Vice President, 1969-1970; President, 1971-1972; Life Member, 1983) The American Association for Justice (State Committeeman, 1969; Member, Board of Governors, 1976-1984, 1992; Parliamentarian, 1984-1986; Treasurer, 1987-1988; Vice President 1988-1989) Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (Associate Member) West Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (Associate Member) New York State Association of Trial Lawyers, Inc. (Associate Member) American Judicature Society Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association American Board of Trial Advocates (President, Tennessee Chapter, 1995-1996) Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys. Fellow: International Society of Barristers American College of Trial Lawyers International Academy of Trial Lawyers American College of Legal Medicine (Associate Member). Founding Fellow, Tennessee Bar Foundation. Adjunct Professor, Trial Advocacy, the University of Tennessee College of Law, 1999 Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy Certified Civil Trial Specialist, Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization
Reported cases Braden v. Yoder, 592 S.W.2d 897 (Tenn. App., 1979) Smith v. Gore, 728 S.W.2d 738 (Tenn., 1987) Motley v. Fluid Power, 640 S.W.2d 222 (Tenn. App. 1982) Wolfe v. United States, 703 F.2d 569 (6th Cir., 1982) Sweeney v. State Dept. of Transp., 744 S.W.2d 905 (Tenn. App., 1987) Murphree v. Raybestos-Manhattan, Inc., 696 F.2d 459 (6th Cir., 1982) Sterling v. Velsicol, 855 F.2d 1188 (6th Cir., 1988) Steele v. Ft. Sanders Anesthesia Group, P.C., 897 S.W.2d 270 (Tenn. App., 1994) Cruze v. Ford Motor Co., et al., 1999 WL 1206798 (Tenn.Ct.App.) Johnson v. Tenn. Farmers Mut. Ins. Co., 205 S.W.3d 365 (Tenn. 2006)
Practice areas Automobile, Motorcycle and Trucking Collisions Aviation Law Federal Employers Liability Act General Personal Injury Medical Malpractice Products Liability
