Knoxville, Tennessee, November 12, 2014. The law firm of Lewis, Thomason, King, Krieg & Waldrop, P.C. is pleased to announce that 19 of their attorneys have been named in the Mid-South Super Lawyers Magazine 2014 edition and 6 have been named in the Mid-South Rising Stars. Each year, the Super Lawyers magazine recognizes those lawyers chosen, in the top five percent, by their peers and through the independent research of Law & Politics.
Lawrence F. Giordano – Business Litigation
Shareholder and law firm director Larry Giordano engages in a statewide practice based in Lewis Thomason’s Knoxville office. He is a member and co-chair of both the firm’s Education Law and Health Care Practice Groups. He concentrates the balance of his practice in the areas of business, commercial and complex litigation. With 35 years of practice, his diverse experience includes an unusually wide range of legal issues, both litigation and transactional. He has significant criminal defense experience and has defended multiple cases with simultaneous civil and criminal proceedings. In addition, Mr. Giordano has substantial appellate experience and has argued before the Tennessee Supreme Court, Tennessee Court of Appeals, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Mr. Giordano was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2012 and 2013 editions.
R. Loy Waldrop, Jr. – Construction Litigation
Shareholder Loy Waldrop has represented contractors, design professionals, developers, owners, sureties, and material suppliers in a wide range of construction industry matters for over 30 years. He has more than 25 years of experience in defending major lawsuits against designers with single suit claims as high as $250 million. He has represented contractors in the prosecution and defense of claims ranging from payment issues to complex differing site conditions and scheduling claims. Mr. Waldrop is a Distinguished Military Graduate of Clemson University and served in the U. S. Army Security Agency from 1966-68, reaching the rank of Captain. He serves as an arbitrator in construction cases and as a mediator for construction disputes. Mr. Waldrop was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2008-2013 editions.
R. Dale Bay – Civil Litigation: Defense
Dale Bay is a shareholder in the firm’s Nashville office, where he served as managing shareholder for 20 years. Since beginning his practice with the firm in 1984, Mr. Bay has concentrated in the area of civil jury trial litigation in state and federal courts throughout the southeastern United States. Mr. Bay’s litigation work includes tort, product liability, professional malpractice defense, transportation/trucking law, aviation law, personal injury automobile/personal lines, employment discrimination, and business and commercial litigation. Mr. Bay has defended numerous complex, multimillion-dollar personal injury claims in both state and federal courts, representing a variety of national and international clients as well as local companies and professionals. Mr. Bay was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2013 edition.
J. Randolph Bibb, Jr. – Personal Injury – Product Liability: Defense
John Randolph (Randy) Bibb, Jr. is a shareholder in the firm’s Nashville office. Mr. Bibb has more than 30 years’ experience defending products liability and toxic tort claims and lawsuits across the United States. He has served as lead trial counsel representing product manufacturers in more than 100 jury trials in state and federal courtrooms from New York to California and from Florida to Washington State. Today much of his practice is devoted to defending motor vehicle manufacturers in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits alleging unintended acceleration; inadvertent vehicle movement; defective passive and active restraint systems and numerous other defect theories. Mr. Bibb was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2006-2013 editions.
Lisa Ramsay Cole – Employment Litigation: Defense
Lisa Ramsay Cole is president/managing shareholder of Lewis Thomason and the managing partner of the firm’s Nashville office. She practices in the areas of employment law, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, and general casualty defense litigation. Ms. Cole’s practice for the past 20 years has concentrated in the area of complex civil trial litigation in state and federal courts. She has achieved successful results through defense jury verdicts, summary judgment, mediation, and arbitration in each of her practice areas. Ms. Cole’s current clients are national, regional and local employers; regional and local health care facilities; and insurance companies. Ms. Cole was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2010-2013 editions.
David N. Garst – Construction Litigation
David N. Garst is a shareholder in the firm’s Nashville office. He is chair of the Nashville section of the construction law practice group and serves on the firm’s Board of Directors. Mr. Garst practices principally in the areas of architects and engineers professional liability, construction defect litigation, construction contract law, and commercial litigation. For more than 25 years, Mr. Garst has represented contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, engineers, surveyors, building owners, and developers on a variety of construction projects, both locally and regionally. He has substantial experience in the defense of design professionals, and has represented architects and engineers in hundreds of claims, lawsuits, arbitration matters, and disciplinary proceedings. He also has represented numerous general contractors and specialty contractors on construction defect claims, payment disputes, liens, and disciplinary and licensing matters. Mr. Garst was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2007-2013 editions.
Mary Beth Haltom – Personal Injury – General: Defense
Mary Beth Haltom, a shareholder in the firm’s Nashville office, concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial and business litigation, with an emphasis on commercial transportation and franchise litigation. She has successfully represented her clients at all levels of the court system in both state court and federal court and has successfully defended a number of large motor carriers and drivers in state and federal court. A member of the Commercial Transportation Group, Ms. Haltom helped implement the firm’s rapid response program that is currently used by many of the firm’s clients. With regard to her franchise litigation work, she advises and represents clients at all levels of litigation. Ms. Haltom was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2013 edition.
John R. Tarpley – Civil Litigation: Defense
John R. Tarpley, a shareholder in our Nashville office, has been involved in complex litigation in the areas of tort, transportation, product liability, professional liability, commercial law, casualty defense, and a wide range of insurance-related matters in both state and federal courts. His product liability work includes the representation of manufacturers of automobiles, heavy equipment, appliances and power tools, as well as significant experience in asbestos defense. Certified as a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 mediator, he is regularly hired to mediate a number of civil matters. He has also been inducted into the distinguished Tennessee Academy of Mediators. Mr. Tarpley was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2006-2009, 2011-2013 editions
Rehim Babaoglu – Immigration
Mr. Babaoglu has been honored by Super Lawyers of America as a Super Lawyer in the Mid-South for Immigration Law. He has also received designations of Best Lawyers in America for his work in immigration and consumer law. He has served the Memphis Bar Association as a member of its board of directors on two separate occasions. Mr. Babaoglu is a frequent lecturer on the subjects of immigration and deportation law for the federal, Memphis, Tennessee and American Immigration Lawyers associations. In 2010, he was selected as Volunteer Attorney of the Year by the Memphis Community Legal Center. Mr. Babaoglu has been serving as a part-time judicial official since 1999 as an Assistant Divorce Referee for Shelby County Circuit Division II. Mr. Babaoglu is fluent in Russian and Italian. Mr. Babaoglu was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2013 edition.
Joseph M. Clark – Personal Injury- Medical Malpractice: Defense
Mr. Clark maintains a general civil trial practice with a focus primarily on medical malpractice defense. He has tried numerous civil lawsuits to verdict, and he has briefed and argued cases before the Tennessee Court of Appeals and the Tennessee Supreme Court. Mr. Clark is a Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator. Mr. Clark was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2011–2013 editions.
Margaret F. Cooper – Personal Injury- General: Defense
Maggie Cooper is an associate in the firm’s Memphis office. A native Memphian, Ms. Cooper has a diverse litigation practice, with particular emphasis in healthcare liability, transportation, and business and commercial litigation. Ms. Cooper has successfully defended cases prior to trial and through verdict in state and federal court. She routinely obtains favorable results for her clients at the appellate level as well. Ms. Cooper was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2013 edition.
Brian S. Faughnan – Appellate
Brian S. Faughnan practices in the firm’s Memphis office. In addition to the area of lawyer ethics and professional responsibility, Mr. Faughnan’s practice is focused on commercial litigation, appellate litigation, and media law. Mr. Faughnan is a frequent author and speaker on ethics and professional responsibility issues. He writes a recurring column entitled “Faughnan on Ethics” for Memphis Lawyer magazine and is a co-author of the book “Professional Responsibility in Litigation” published by the ABA. Mr. Faughnan was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2011-2013 editions.
William H. Haltom, Jr. – Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice: Defense
Mr. Haltom is an award-winning newspaper and magazine humor columnist. His columns appear in The Commercial Appeal, Memphis’ largest daily newspaper, monthly in the Tennessee Bar Journal, and 24/7 on his blog, www.billhaltom.com. He is the author of three books and has been a newspaper and magazine humor columnist for over 20 years. He has served as chair of the editorial boards for four magazines, including the ABA Journal, the flagship publication of the American Bar Association. A popular speaker, Bill has delivered commencement addresses and has been the featured speaker at conventions, banquets and leadership seminars. Mr. Haltom was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2007-2013 editions.
Albert C. Harvey – Business Litigation
Mr. Harvey, a shareholder in our Memphis office, is a senior member of the firm. He has an extensive practice in federal and state courts defending doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, and other professionals. He is involved in complex business litigation, intellectual property disputes, and securities cases. Mr. Harvey has a special interest in national security and governmental affairs and frequently lectures, teaches, and consults with clients on these matters. In addition, he has served at the state and national levels on setting ethical standards for lawyers and judges. Mr. Harvey recently retired from the United States Marine Corps Reserve with the rank of Major General. Mr. Harvey was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2006-2013 editions.
Kimbrough J. Johnson – Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice: Defense
Mr. Johnson has been with the firm since 1970. His practice has been focused primarily on civil litigation in federal and state courts defending professional liability claims. Mr. Johnson has tried many jury cases and takes pride in providing superior legal counsel to his clients. Mr. Johnson served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps with service in Vietnam in 1966. Mr. Johnson was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2006-2013 editions.
Marcy Dodds Magee – Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice: Defense
Marcy D. Magee, a shareholder in the Memphis office, focuses her practice primarily on general civil defense litigation matters, with an emphasis on medical malpractice and products liability litigation. Ms. Magee has handled numerous jury trials to verdict in Memphis and surrounding counties. She also has a vast amount of experience arguing cases before the Tennessee Supreme Court and the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Ms. Magee was also recognized in the Mid-South Rising Stars 2009-2013 editions.
Jerry E. Mitchell – Professional Liability: Defense
Jerry E. Mitchell has been with the firm since 1974. His practice has been in civil litigation in state and federal courts, primarily in professional and media liability cases. Mr. Mitchell served in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant in Vietnam, 1970. Mr. Mitchell was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2006-2008 and 2011-2013 editions.
Christopher L. Vescovo – Personal Injury – General: Defense
Mr. Vescovo practices in the area of civil litigation, handling matters in state and federal courts. He has substantial experience in jury and bench trials in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. He has defended claims involving medical malpractice, insurance bad faith, and governmental tort liability. Mr. Vescovo is a Rule 31-listed mediator in general civil mediation for the Supreme Court of Tennessee and has mediated cases involving medical malpractice, premises liability, worker’s compensation and motor-vehicle negligence. Mr. Vescovo was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2007-2013 editions.
Stephen W. Vescovo – Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice: Defense
Mr. Vescovo is a Lewis Thomason shareholder practicing in the areas of employment, product liability, professional liability and workers’ compensation. Mr. Vescovo was also recognized in the Mid-South Super Lawyers 2006-2013 editions.
Mid-South Rising Stars
David A. Changas – Personal Injury – General: Defense
David A. Changas, a shareholder in the Nashville office, joined the firm in March 2002. A native of Knoxville, Mr. Changas focuses his practice in the areas of transportation law, casualty defense litigation and product liability. He has successfully handled and tried numerous jury and non-jury cases since he began practicing in 2000. Mr. Changas is an active member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Nashville and is a member of the inaugural board of St. Sampson’s Clinic, which provides indigent care to rheumatology patients. Mr. Changas was also recognized in the Mid-South Rising Stars 2013 edition.
Robert F. Chapski – Personal Injury- Product Liability: Defense
Bob Chapski is a shareholder in the Nashville office and serves on the firm’s Board of Directors as well as chair of the firm’s Product Liability Group. Mr. Chapski practices primarily in the areas of product liability, tort and commercial/business litigation. He represents various national clients in complex, high-exposure federal and state court matters. His industry experience includes automotive; transportation; construction and industrial equipment/aerial devices; and consumer products matters. Mr. Chapski has significant experience in the area of automotive product liability litigation in addition to other product liability fields, and he has defended major automotive manufacturers involving complex liability issues and catastrophic injuries in courts throughout the nation. Mr. Chapski’s jury trial experience includes product liability matters as well as other tort and business litigation matters. Mr. Chapski was also recognized in the Mid-South Rising Stars 2012-2013 editions.
Samuel L. Jackson – Schools & Education
Samuel L. Jackson is a shareholder who practices in the area of Education Law in a variety of legal matters, including employment of licensed and classified employees, employee contracts, employee and student discipline, employee and student rights, special education and disability accommodation, First Amendment issues, sexual harassment and civil rights matters, desegregation, tort liability, school finance and taxation, and school construction. Mr. Jackson is also experienced in general defense litigation, product liability, labor and employment law, transportation, and workers’ compensation law. Mr. Jackson has represented boards of education and other business entities and individuals in various federal and state actions and administrative actions across Tennessee. Mr. Jackson’s current clients are boards of education, transportation companies, national, regional, and local employers, insurance companies, and independent insurance agencies.
Jason M. Pannu – Business & Commercial
Jason M. Pannu is a Lewis Thomason shareholder based in the firm’s Nashville office. He is a native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Mr. Pannu practices primarily in the areas of complex business and commercial litigation with an emphasis on the construction industry. He also practices in the areas of professional liability, toxic tort and environmental law and employment law disputes. As part of his construction law practice, Mr. Pannu advises architects, engineers, owners, contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers in connection with large-scale projects and regularly appears in State and Federal Courts and arbitration on construction defect claims, professional negligence claims, breach of contract claims, and lien and bond claims. Mr. Pannu has a background in accounting and finance and has handled professional liability disputes in those areas. Mr. Pannu also advises clients regarding litigation avoidance and assessment. Mr. Pannu is fluent in Cantonese Chinese and French. Mr. Pannu was also recognized in the Mid-South Rising Stars 2010-2013 editions.
Jonathan Louis May – Workers’ Compensation
Mr. May practices in the area of civil litigation, handling matters in state and federal courts throughout Tennessee. He has substantial experience defending claims involving workers’ compensation and insurance bad faith. In addition to his active litigation practice, Mr. May has counseled small business clients on matters including entity formation, employment law compliance and preparation of employer policies and procedures. Mr. May was also recognized in the Mid-South Rising Stars 2012-2013 editions.
Edd Peyton – Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice: Defense
Mr. Peyton’s practice focuses on medical malpractice defense, personal injury litigation, insurance defense, employment, civil litigation, municipal litigation and construction litigation. Since joining the firm, Mr. Peyton has participated in a variety of matters in federal and state trial courts in Tennessee and Mississippi. He also has experience assisting small businesses and nonprofit corporations with a variety of needs. Mr. Peyton was also recognized in the Mid-South Rising Stars 2011-2013 editions