McMahan Law Firm
Personal Injury | Serving Chattanooga, TN
931-463-1974Get assistance for your Personal Injury issue in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area. McMahan Law Firm can help.
Free Consultation
Bringing Justice to Personal Injury Claims
The McMahan Law Firm is Chattanooga’s largest personal injury law firm and Tennessee’s largest Social Security law firm with a real office, real lawyers, and real results—not a name on a door. Our Chattanooga personal injury law firm is made up of seasoned litigators with a diverse range of legal experience. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of those badly hurt by another's negligence.
Contact us today if you need legal assistance with any of the following:
- Personal Injury
- Auto Accidents
- Social Security Disability
- Workers’ Comp
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Slip and Fall
- Wrongful Death
- Legal Malpractice
Call 931-463-1974 today to arrange your free initial consultation.
Attorney Jay Kennamer
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 1993
- Alabama, 1992
- Georgia, 2004
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
Education:
- Master of Laws, Taxation, Emory University, 1993
- J.D., Samford University, Cumberland School of Law, 1992
- B.S., University of Alabama, 1989
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocacy
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers (2011)
- Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Member, Tennessee Association of Justice Circle of Advocates
- High Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
Attorney Brent Burks
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 1994
Legal Certification:
- Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocacy
Education:
- J.D., University of Tennessee College of Law, 1994
- B.S., Political Science, University of Tennessee, 1991
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers (2012)
- Super Lawyers selectee
- Member, Tennessee Association of Justice Circle of Advocates
- Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Attorney Lew Belvin
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee
- Georgia
Education:
- J.D., Cumberland School of Law, Samford University 2009
- B.A., University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Tennessee Trial Lawyers’ Association
Attorney Chris Gentry 
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee
- Georgia
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
Education:
- J.D., Michigan State University College of Law 2005
- B.A., University of Tennessee
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Member, Chattanooga Bar Association
- Member, Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
- Member, National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives
Attorney William Joe Hollis, Jr.
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee
- Georgia
Education:
- J.D., Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Rule 31 General Civil Listed Mediator, Tennessee Supreme Court
- Member, Chattanooga Bar Association
- Member, Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
- Member, National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives
Attorney Herbert Thornbury
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 1973
Education:
- J.D., University of Tennessee College of Law, 1973
- B.A., University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 1968
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Chattanooga Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Board Certified Trial Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocacy 1995-2025
- Rule 31 General Civil Listed Mediator, Tennessee Supreme Court
- Chattanooga Trials Lawyers Association
- Member, Board of Governors, Past President
- Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
- Member, Board of Governors, 1980-1996
- Chairman, General Liability Section, 1991-1994
- American Association for Justice
- Tennessee Delegate to The Democratic National Convention 2020
- Multiple Sclerosis Society, Board of Directors
- National Medical of Honor Heritage Center, Secretary, Board of Directors
- Appointment by the Tennessee Supreme Court as a trial hearing officer of the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, 2 terms, 8 years
- Judge, Town of Walden 1992-2024
Attorney Katie Reed
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee
- Alabama
- Eastern District of Tennesse US District Court
Education:
- J.D., Lincoln Memorial University, Duncan School of Law
- B.S., Justice Studies, with honors, Georgia Southern University, 2016
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Member, Chattanooga Bar Association
- Member, Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
- Member, School Board at Ivy Academy
Attorney Richard S. Taliaferro
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee and Georgia
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
Education:
- J.D., University of Tennessee College of Law, 1991
- B.A., Political Science & History, Tulane University and University of Tennessee (high honors)
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Member, National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR)
Attorney Gerard M Siciliano
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee
- Federal Trial
- Appellate Courts
Education:
- J.D., University of Tennessee Law School 1981
- B.A., summa cum laude, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 1978
Attorney Melissa Weitzel
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee
Education:
- J.D., Vanderbilt Law School
- Bachelor’s Degree, Mississippi State University
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Member, Tennessee Bar Association
- Member, Chattanooga Bar Association
- Member, Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
Attorney Mike Richardson
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
- Florida
- Kentucky
- Appellate Courts in Tennessee
- Supreme Court of the United States of America
- 6th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals
- Eastern District Federal Court of Tennessee
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Best Lawyers in America, 2012-2026
- America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Lawyers
Since 1997, the "Lead Counsel Verified" status has been granted to attorneys who possess:
- The Right Professional Experience
- A Spotless Record
The following attorneys at this firm are Lead Counsel Verified:
Herbert Thornbury
This attorney practices in Tennessee and is Lead Counsel Verified in the following practice areas:
| Practice Area | Year |
|---|---|
| Personal Injury | Since 2015 |
McMahan Law Firm Awards
Distinguished: This award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 3.0 to 4.4.
Super Lawyers Selectee: Super Lawyers® is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The top 5% of lawyers in each state are selected using a patented selection process that includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.