Best's Recommended Insurance Attorneys - General Defense
- Telephone: 865-525-5134
- Fax: 865-522-5723
- E-Mail: firm@kramer-rayson.com
- Website: www.kramer-rayson.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 629, Knoxville, TN 37901-0629
Established: 1948
Practice Areas
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Civil Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Business Law
- Construction Law
- Contracts
- Corporate Law
- Labor and Employment
- Environmental Law
- Insurance Defense
- Medical Malpractice
- Product Liability
- Personal Injury
- Property
- Workers' Compensation
- Estate Planning
- Trusts
- Tax Litigation
- Commercial and Business Transactions
- Estate Planning and Administration
- Government Contracts
- Healthcare Regulation
- Immigration Law
- Municipal and Local Government
- Public Policy
- Sports Law
- Trust and Fiduciary
- Zoning
- Intellectual Property
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Taxation
About Us
Established in 1948, Kramer Rayson LLP has built a reputation as one of Tennessee's leading law firms. We have been involved in some of the state's most significant legal decisions, and our firm has earned the respect of many in the legal community. Our firm was named one of the "Best Law Firms" by U.S. News & World Report, and many of our attorneys are included in the list of Best Lawyers in America.
Kramer Rayson LLP has twenty-six lawyers who are graduates of law schools around the country, including the University of Tennessee, the University of Memphis, Vanderbilt University, the University of Arkansas, Seattle University, Southern Methodist University and the College of William and Mary.
The firm encourages its members to become involved in activities outside the practice of law. The attorneys have served on many local boards, including such institutions as the Knoxville Museum of Art and the University of Tennessee. In addition, firm members are actively involved in state and local bar associations and otherwise participate in numerous charitable and educational entities and activities.
Additional Locations
- Oak Ridge, Tennessee
- 105 Donner Drive, Suite A
- Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830
- Telephone: 865-220-5134
- Fax: 865-220-5132
Client Information
Insurance Clients
- American National Insurance Company
- American Specialty Insurance & Risk Services, Inc.
- Auto-Owners Insurance Company
- Beazley Group
- Catholic Mutual Group
- Chubb
- Cincinnati Insurance Company
- Donegal Insurance Group
- Farmers Mutual of Tennessee
- Grange Mutual Casualty Company
- Great West Casualty Company
- Indiana Farm Bureau
- Kentucky National Insurance Company
- Lloyd's of London
- Markel Corporation
- North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company
- Occidental Fire & Casualty Company
- RLI Insurance Company
- Sentry Claims Services
- Southern Insurance Company of Virginia
- Supermarket Insurance Group
- Tennessee Farmers Mutual Insurance Company
- Tokio Marine HCC
- United Fire & Casualty Company
- United States Liability Insurance
- U.S. Specialty Insurance Company
Personnel Information
Members of the Firm
John T. Johnson, Jr.
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: jtjohnson@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Litigation
- Insurance Defense
- Product Liability
- Personal Injury
Admitted
- Tennessee, 1974
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, 1974
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, 1978
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1978
Additional Biographical Details:
Best Lawyers in America 2007-2023 Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants; Best Lawyers in America Lawyer of the Year 2019 Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants; Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2022 Civil Litigation: Defense; City View-2022 Top Attorney for Insurance Law Golden Gavel Award, Personal Injury-Auto Accident-Defense Golden Gavel, Product Liability - Defense, Wrongful Death-Defense Golden Gavel Award
Memberships:
- American, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Associations
- Fellow, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Foundations
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Defense Research Institute
- Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Education:
- Tennessee Technological University, B.S. (with distinction), 1971
- The University of Tennessee, J.D., 1973
Born: 1949
Warren L. Gooch
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: wgooch@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Health
- Administrative Law
Admitted
- Tennessee, 1977
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, 1978
Additional Biographical Details:
Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year" Administrative/Regulatory Law 2020; Best Lawyers in America 2007-2023 Administrative/Regulatory Law, Government Relations Practice and Health Care Law; CityView Top Attorneys 2023, Administrative Law
Memberships:
- American, Tennessee, Anderson County and Knoxville Bar Associations
- Tennessee Hospital Association
- Fellow, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Foundations
- American Health Lawyers Association
Education:
- The University of Tennessee, B.A. (with high honors), 1974
- The University of Tennessee, J.D., 1977
Born: 1952
Edward G. Phillips
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: ephillips@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Labor and Employment
Admitted
- Tennessee, 1978
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, 1978
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1980
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 2016
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 2018
Additional Biographical Details:
Best Lawyers in America 2003-2023 Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment; Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year" 2022 Labor Law - Management; Mid South Super Lawyers 2022, Employment Litigation Defense; CityView Top Attorneys 2022, Labor & Employment Law-Employer Golden Gavel Award
Memberships:
- American, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Associations
- Fellow, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Foundations
Education:
- East Tennessee State University, B.S. (with honors), 1975
- The University of Tennessee, J.D. (with honors), 1978
Born: 1953
Thomas M. Hale
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: tomhale@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Corporate Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Employment Law
Admitted
- Tennessee, 1980
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, 1980
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1981
Additional Biographical Details:
Best Lawyers in America 2008-2023 Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Litigation - Municipal, Litigation - Real Estate; Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" 2022 Corporate Law; Mid-South Super Lawyers 2022-Business-Corporate; CityView Top Attorney 2022, Business Litigation Golden Gavel Award, Corporate Law
Memberships:
- American, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Associations
- Fellow, Tennessee Bar Foundation
Education:
- The University of Tennessee Knoxville, B.A., 1976
- The University of Tennessee Knoxville, M.B.A., 1980
- The University of Tennessee Knoxville, J.D., 1980
Born: 1954
Beecher A. Bartlett, Jr.
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: bbartlett@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Litigation
- Insurance Defense
- Labor and Employment
- Personal Injury
Admitted
- Tennessee, 1983
- U.S. District Court, Eastern and Middle Districts of Tennessee, 1983
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Additional Biographical Details:
Best Lawyers in America, "Lawyer of the Year" 2023 Insurance Law; Best Lawyers in America 2011-2023 Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs; CityView 2022 Civil Litigation, Federal Court Practice, Insurance Law, Labor & Employment Law - Employee, Personal Injury - Auto Accident - Plaintiff, Personal Injury - General - Plaintiff, Wrongful Death - Defense, Wrongful Death - Plaintiff
Memberships:
- American, Tennessee, Anderson County and Knoxville Bar Associations
- Fellow, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Foundations
Education:
- The University of Tennessee Knoxville, B.A. (with honors), 1979
- Memphis State University, J.D., 1982
Born: 1957
John C. Burgin, Jr.
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: jcburgin@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Employment Law
- Employee Benefits
- Government Contracts
Admitted
- Tennessee, 1989
- U.S. District Court, Eastern and Middle Districts of Tennessee
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth and Ninth Circuits
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Tennessee Supreme Court
Additional Biographical Details:
Best Lawyers in America 2018-2023 Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management; CityView Top Attorneys 2022 Employee Benefits/ERISA-Defense, Appellate Practice; Appointed to Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization, 2006-2012
Memberships:
- American, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Associations
Education:
- Northeast Louisiana University, B.M., 1981
- Northeast Louisiana University, M.M., 1983
- The University of Tennessee, J.D., 1989
Clerkship:
Law Clerk, Honorable Gary R. Wade, 1989-1990
Born: 1959
John E. Winters
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: jwinters@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Labor and Employment
- Civil Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
Admitted
- Tennessee, 1993
- U.S. District Court, Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Tennessee
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Additional Biographical Details:
Best Lawyers in America 2011-2023 Employment Law - Management, Insurance Law, Labor Law - Management, Litigation Labor and Employment; Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year" 2022 Litigation - Labor and Employment; Mid-South Super Lawyers 2022 Civil Litigation - Defense; CityView Top Attorneys 2023:Business Litigation; University of Memphis Law Alumni Board
Memberships:
- American, Tennessee, Anderson County and Knoxville Bar Associations
Education:
- The University of Tennessee Knoxville, B.A. (with honors), 1990
- University of Memphis Law School, J.D. (with honors), 1993
Born: 1968
Robert L. Bowman
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: rlbowman@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Labor and Employment
- Civil Litigation
- Local Government Defense
Admitted
- Tennessee, 1995
- U.S. District Court, Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Tennessee
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1996
Additional Biographical Details:
Greater Knoxville Business Journal "Top 40 Under 40" Business Leaders in East Tennessee; Best Lawyers in America 2019-2023: Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Land Use and Zoning Law; Mid-South Super Lawyer 2022: Employment & Labor; CityView Top Attorneys 2022:Appellate Practice, Civil Litigation, Class Action- Plaintiff, Class Action - Defense, Constitutional Law/Civil Rights, Federal Court Practice, Labor & Employment Law - Employee, Labor & Employment Law - Employer, Professional Malpractice - Defense
Memberships:
- American, Tennessee and Knoxville (Fellow) Bar Associations
Education:
- The University of Tennessee Knoxville, B.S. (with honors), 1991
- The University of Tennessee, J.D. (cum laude), 1995
Born: 1969
Shannon D. Coleman Egle
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: scoleman@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Health Care
- Business Law
- Real Estate
Admitted
- Tennessee, 1999
- Georgia, 2009
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, 2000
- U.S. Tax Court
Additional Biographical Details:
Best Lawyers in America 2022-2023: Health Care Law; CityView Top Attorneys 2022: Health Care Law, Income Tax/IRS Resolutions
Memberships:
- American, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Associations
- American Health Lawyers Association
- American Inns of Court
Education:
- Lincoln Memorial University, B.A. (summa cum laude), 1996
- The University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D., 1999
Born: 1975
Kate E. Tucker
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: ktucker@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Immigration Law
Admitted
- Tennessee, 2002
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee
Additional Biographical Details:
Best Lawyers In America 2020-2023, Employment Law - Management; CityView Top Attorneys 2022: Immigration and Naturalization Golden Gavel Award
Memberships:
- American, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Associations
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
Education:
- The University of Tennessee Knoxville, B.A. (cum laude), 1997
- William & Mary School of Law, J.D., 2001
Born: 1975
Betsy J. Beck
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: bbeck@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Labor and Employment
- Civil Litigation
Admitted
- Tennessee, 2003
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, 2004
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Additional Biographical Details:
Best Lawyers in America 2018-2023, Employment Law - Management; CityView Top Attorneys 2022: Labor & Employment Law - Employer, Federal Court Practice
Memberships:
- American, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Associations
Education:
- The University of Tennessee Knoxville, B.S. (cum laude), 2000
- The University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D. (cum laude), 2003
Born: 1978
William J. Carver
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: wcarver@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Creditor Rights
- Litigation
- Local Government Defense
- Bankruptcy
Admitted
- Tennessee, 2003
- U.S. District Court, Eastern and Middle Districts of Tennessee
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Additional Biographical Details:
Univ. of Tennessee College of Law Board of Alumni Advisors; Member of the Board of Directors for the TN Education Lottery; Board Member for the TN Chamber of Commerce; Best Lawyers in America 2021-2023 - Litigation Insurance; CityView Top Attorney 2022: Aviation/Admiralty, Entertainment & Sports, Civil Litigation, Personal Injury - Auto Accident - Defense
Memberships:
- American, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Associations
- Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association
Education:
- The University of Tennessee Knoxville, B.A. (magna cum laude), 2000
- The University of Tennessee Knoxville, J.D., 2003
Honors:
2010 Legal Aid Pro Bono Partner Award; Univ. of Tennessee Knoxville Chancellor Scholars
Born: 1977
George R. Arrants, Jr.
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: garrants@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Corporate Law
- Labor and Employment
- Transactional Law
Admitted
- Tennessee, 1987
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, 1989
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1991
Additional Biographical Details:
Best Lawyers in America 2019-2023, Employment Law - Management; CityView Top Attorneys 2022: Business Litigation
Memberships:
- Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Associations
- American Inns of Court
Education:
- Vanderbilt University, B.A., 1984
- The University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D. (with honors), 1987
Clerkship:
Judicial Clerkship, Honorable R. Allen Edgar, U.S. District, Eastern District of Tennessee, 1987
Born: 1962
Brandon L. Morrow
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: bmorrow@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Labor and Employment Law
- Litigation
Admitted
- Tennessee, 2012
- U.S. District Court, Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Tennessee, 2013
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 2013
Additional Biographical Details:
Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch 2021-2023: Labor and Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment; Mid-South Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2022: Employment Litigation Defense; CityView Top Attorneys 2022: Appellate Practice, Civil Litigation, Labor & Employment Law - Employer, Labor & Employment Law - Employee; Tennessee Valley Human Resource Association, Executive Committee
Memberships:
- American, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Associations
- American Inns of Court
Education:
- The University of Tennessee Knoxville, B.A., 2008
- The University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D., 2012
Born: 1986
Bryce E. Fitzgerald
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: bfitzgerald@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Labor and Employment Law
- Health Care
- Civil Litigation
Admitted
- Tennessee, 2014
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, 2015
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee, 2017
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 2017
Additional Biographical Details:
Best Lawyers in American: Ones to Watch 2023: Health Care Law, Labor and Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment; Mid-South Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2018-2023; Employment & Labor; CityView Top Attorneys 2022: Federal Court Practice, Health Care Law
Memberships:
- American, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Associations
- American Inns of Court
Education:
- The University of Tennessee Knoxville, B.A. (summa cum laude), 2011
- Washington and Lee University, J.D. (cum laude), 2014
Nathaniel D. Moore
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: nmoore@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Insurance Defense
- Civil Litigation
Admitted
- Tennessee, 2012
- Virginia, 2013
- U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, 2014
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth and Sixth Circuits, 2014
- U.S. District Court, Eastern and Middle Districts of Tennessee, 2017
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee, 2018
Additional Biographical Details:
Best Lawyers in American: Ones to Watch 2022 - Labor and Employment Law - Management and Insurance Law; CityView Top Attorneys 2022 - Constitutional Law/Civil Rights
Memberships:
- American, Virginia, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Associations
Education:
- Harding University, B.S., 2009
- The University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D., 2012
Born: 1986
Managing Partner
Jackson G. Kramer
Knoxville, TN
- E-Mail: jgkramer@kramer-rayson.com
Practice Areas
- Corporate Law
- Real Estate
- Tax Litigation
- Estate Planning
Admitted
- Tennessee, 1983
Additional Biographical Details:
Best Lawyers in America 2012-2023: Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Real Estate Law, Trusts and Estates; Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year" 2020 Litigation - Trusts and Estates; CityView Top Attorneys 2022, Estate Planning/Trusts, Wills/Probate
Memberships:
- American, Tennessee, Anderson County and Knoxville Bar Associations
Education:
- Vanderbilt University, B.A., 1980
- Southern Methodist University, J.D., 1983
Born: 1957
Associate Attorneys
- Erica D. Green
- Andrew M. Hale
- Lucas M. Fishman
- James T. Snodgrass
- Katherine R. Overton
Of Counsel
- Wayne R. Kramer
- Charles M. Finn
- Steven E. Kramer
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