Hunter, Smith & Davis LLP

Attorney William C. Argabrite

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 1978
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee, 1978
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1982
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit

Education:

• Wake Forest University School of Law, Winston Salem, North Carolina, 1978
  
  • Juris Doctorate
  • Honors: cum laude
  • Law Review: Wake Forest Law Review, Notes and Comments Editor, 1977 - 1978
• Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina, 1975
  
  • B.S.

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Tennessee Bar Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2012 - 2018
• Tennessee Bar Foundation, President, 2016 - 2017
• Kingsport Bar Association, Past President
• King University, Board of Trustees, 2008 - 2014

Attorney William C. Bovender

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 1975
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1975
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1975
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1991
• U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2012

Education:

• University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1975
  
  • Juris Doctorate
• University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1972
  
  • Bachelor of Arts

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Tennessee Bar Foundation, fellow
• Tennessee Supreme Court, board of professional responsibility
• Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, former president
• Kingsport Chamber Foundation, former board member
• Johnson City Chamber of Commerce, former board member
• Paramount Theatre Board in Bristol, former chair
• Defense Research Institute (DRI), member

Attorney John Buda

Bar Admissions:

• California

Education:

• Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, California
  
  • J.D.
  • Law Review: Loyola Law Review, 2003 - 2007
• George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, 1999
  
  • M.A.
  • Major: International Trade
• Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, North Carolina
  
  • B.A.
  • Major: English Literature & History

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American Immigration Lawyers Association (Member)
• The Los Angeles County Bar Association

Attorney Jason A. Creech

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 2000
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 2008
• U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee, 2000

Education:

• University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2000
  
  • J.D.
  • Honors: Concentration in Advocacy
  • Honors: Student Bar Association
  • Honors: Class Representative
• University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1997
  
  • B.A.
  • Honors: magna cum laude
  • Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
  • Honors: Dean's List

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Johnson County Bar Association, 2008 - Present (Member)

Attorney Steve Darden

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 1985
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1986
• U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2011
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1987
• Supreme Court of the United States of America, 1988

Education:

• University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1985
  
  • J.D.
  • Honors: Law Review member, 1983-1985
• University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 1982
  
  • B.S.
  • Major: Accounting

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Tennessee Bar Association, member
• Washington County Bar Association, former president
• Sullivan County Bar Association, member
• Defense Research Institute (DRI), member

Attorney Mark S. Dessauer

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 1983
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee
• U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit

Education:

• University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1983
  
  • Juris Doctorate
  • Honors: Justice, Phi Alpha Delta
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1980
  
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Honors: Omicron Delta Kappa
  • Honors: Mortar Board

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American Bar Association
• Tennessee Bar Association
• Kingsport Bar Association
• American Bar Association, Litigation and Business Law Section
• Tennessee Bar Association, 1990 - 1993 (Board of Governors)

Attorney Will A. Ellis

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 2021

Education:

• The University of Alabama School of Law, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 2021
  
  • J.D.
• East Tennessee State University, 2017
  
  • B.S.
    
    
    

Attorney Michael L. Forrester

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 1984
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit

Education:

• University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1984
  
  • Juris Doctorate
  • Honors: Member, Phi Alpha Delta
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1981
  
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Honors: High Honors
• Martin College, 1979
  
  • Associate of Arts
  • Honors: magna cum laude

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American Bar Association
• Tennessee Bar Association
• Kingsport Bar Association
• American Bar Association, Tort and Insurance Practice Section
• Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association
• Tennessee Bar Association,Young Lawyers Division (Former Member, Executive Council and Board of Directors)
• Tennessee Bar (Former Member, Continuing Legal Education Committee)
• Kingsport Chamber of Commerce (Legislative Affairs Committee)
• Kingsport Chamber of Commerce (Business Development Committee)
• Kingsport Fun Fest (Executive Committee)

Attorney Sydney B. Gilbert

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 2017

Education:

• University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2017
  
  • J.D.
  • Honors: Dana Collier Memorial Scholarship
• University of Virginia’s College at Wise, 2014
  
  • B.A.

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Tennessee Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Kingsport Bar Association

Attorney S. Morris Hadden

Bar Admissions:

• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee
• U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
• Tennessee
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee
• U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee

Education:

• University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee
  
  • Juris Doctorate
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
  
  • Bachelor of Science

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Tennessee Bar Association (Board of Governors)
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• Federation of Insurance Counsel
• Tennessee Association of Defense Lawyers
• Defense Research Institute
• American Bar Association
• Tennessee Bar Association
• Kingsport Bar Association
• University of Tennessee College of Law (Alumni Council)
• Tennessee Supreme Court (Special Justice)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (Special Agent)
• University of Tennessee College of Law (Dean's Circle)

Attorney Gregory K. Haden

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 1983
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1988
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1985
• U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee, 2015
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee, 2019

Education:

• University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, Virginia, 1983
  
  • Juris Doctorate
  • Honors: Finalist, Best Brief Award
  • Honors: Echols Scholar
  • Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
  • Honors: Raven Honor Society
• University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, 1980
  
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Honors: Echols Scholar
  • Honors: Raven Honor Society
  • Honors: Varsity Baseball (four-year letterman)
  • Honors: With High Distinction

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American Bar Association
• Tennessee Bar Association
• Kingsport Bar Association
• Tennessee Supreme Court’s Commission on Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and Specialization (Former Member)
• Supreme Court of Tennessee
• Baseball Coach, Colonial Heights Athletic Commission
• Baseball Coach, AABC Competitive Team

Attorney Joseph B. Harvey

Bar Admissions:

• Georgia, 2004
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia, 2005
• Tennessee, 2010
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 2011
• U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2011
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2011

Education:

• University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2004
  
  • Honors: summa cum laude
  • Honors: Order of the Coif
  • Law Review: Tennessee Law Review, Member, 2002 - 2004
• University of Tennessee, 2001
  
  • B.A.
  • Honors: magna cum laude

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Georgia Bar Association
• Atlanta Bar Association
• Federalist Society
• Tennessee Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association (Board Member)

Attorney Meredith Bates Humbert

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 2005
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 2009

Education:

• University of Memphis School of Law, Memphis, Tennessee, 2005
  
  • J.D.
• College of Charleston, 2001
  
  • Bachelor of Science

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Tennessee and Kingsport Bar Associations
• Board of Governors, 2020 – 2022
• United Way of Greater Kingsport 2016 Campaign Cabinet Member
• House of Delegates, Delegate for Second District, 2012 – present
• House of Delegates, Speaker, 2020 – 2022
• Leadership Law Class of 2013
• Tri-Cities Tennessee / Virginia 40 Under Forty, 2012
• Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2009 and 2011
• Leadership Kingsport Class of 2009

Attorney James N. L. Humphreys

Bar Admissions:

• Virginia, 1987
• Tennessee, 1990
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee
• U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia
• U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Virginia, 1990

Education:

• Washington and Lee University School of Law, Lexington, Virginia, 1987
  
  • Juris Doctorate
  • Honors: Second place winner of the John W. Davis Moot Court Competition
• Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, 1984
  
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Honors: magna cum laude
  • Honors: Class Representative in Student Government (Honor Court)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Virginia State Bar, Member
• Tennessee Bar Association, Member
• Kingsport Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute (DRI), Member
• Insurance Coverage Section of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, Former Chairman

Attorney Sarah E. Larkin

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 2008

Education:

• New England Law, Boston, Massachusetts, May, 2008
  
  • J.D.
• Marshall University, Huntington, WV, May, 2005
  
  • B.S.
  • Honors: magna cum laude
  • Major: Psychology

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American Bar Association, 2006 - Present (Member)
• Tennessee Bar Association, 2008 - Present (Member)
• Knoxville Bar Association, 2008 - Present (Member)
• Washington County Bar Association, Member

Attorney Michael S. Lattier

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 1995
• Florida, 1999
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1996
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1996
• U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1996
• U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1990
• U.S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit, 1991
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1991
• U.S. Tax Court, 2001

Education:

• Louisiana State University Law Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1985
  
  • Juris Doctorate
• Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1982
  
  • Bachelor of Arts

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Tennessee Bar Association
• American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
• Kingsport Bar Association (Past President)
• Girls, Inc. Kingsport (Chairman)
• Sequoyah Council of Boy Scouts of America (Board Member)
• Kingsport Fun Fest, Past Council Chair
• Arts Council of Greater Kingsport, Past Chair
• Holston Habitat for Humanity, Former Board Member
• Holston Business Group, Legal Counsel

Attorney Laura M. Mickel

Bar Admissions:

• North Carolina

Education:

• University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 2020
  
  • J.D.
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2013
  
  • B.A.
  • Major: Journalism and Mass Communications and Global Studies

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• North Carolina Bar Association
• Tennessee Bar Association, 2023
• McIntyre-Whichard Legal Fellowship (Director)
• North Carolina Journal of International Law (staff member)

Attorney Jimmie Carpenter Miller

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 1982
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1982
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1982

Education:

• University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1981
  
  • J.D.
  • Honors: With High Honors
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1979
  
  • B.A.
  • Honors: summa cum laude

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Federal Bar Association for Northeast Tennessee (Past President)
• Tennessee Board of Law Examiners (Past President)
• American Board of Trial Advocates
• Tennessee Bar Association - House of Delegates (Past Member)
• American Bar Association (Fellow and Member)
• Tennessee Bar Association, Fellow and Member
• Kingsport Bar Association, Member
• American Bar Association, Health Law Section
• Tennessee Bar Association, Health Law Section
• Tennessee Bar Association, Insurance Committee
• Tennessee Bar Association, Board of Governors (Past Member)
• Tennessee Bar Association, Judiciary Committee, Member
• Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, chair appointed by Tennessee Supreme Court, 2018
• American College of Trial Lawyers, Tennessee Chapter, Past chair, 2017

Attorney Christopher D. Owens

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 2000
• Virginia, 2001
• Kentucky, 2013
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 2000
• U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia, 2001
• U.S. Court of Appeals Fourth Circuit, 2001
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2000

Education:

• University of North Dakota School of Law, Grand Forks, North Dakota, 1999
  
  • Juris Doctorate
  • Honors: Order of the Coif
  • Law Review: University of North Dakota, Managing Editor
• University of Virginia at Charlottesville, 1995
  
  • B.A.
  • Major: Biological Chemistry

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Tennessee Bar Association (Member)
• Virginia State Bar, 2001
• Tennessee 1st Judicial District Committee for Jury Case Management (Member)

Attorney Colin M. Wyvill

Education:

• University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2023
  
  • J.D.
  • Honors: cum laude
  • Honors: With Honors
  • Honors: Captain of the National Health Law Moot Court team
• University of Tennessee, 2021
  
  • B.S.
  • Honors: cum laude
    
    
    

Attorney Scott Powers

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 1998
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1999
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1999
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Tennessee

Education:

• University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1998
  
  • J.D./ M.B.A.
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, 1998
  
  • Masters of Business
• United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, USA, 1989
  
  • Bachelor of Science

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Member
• Tennessee Bar Association, Business Law, Real Estate Law, and Health Law Sections, Member
• Kingsport Bar Association, Member
• Northeast Tennessee Young Lawyers Association

Attorney Leslie Tentler Ridings

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 1998
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1999
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee, 2013
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2014

Education:

• University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1998
  
  • J.D.
  • Honors: Dean's List
  • Honors: Moot Court Board
  • Honors: Academic Excellence Award - Legal Profession
  • Honors: Academic Excellence Award - Constitutional Law II
  • Honors: Academic Excellence Award - Case Development
  • Honors: Student Bar Association Class Representative
  • Honors: Dean’s Advisory Counsel
• East Tennessee State University, 1985
  
  • Bachelor of Business Administration
  • Honors: magna cum laude
  • Honors: Dean's List

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Tennessee Bar Association, Member
• American Bar Association, Member
• Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association, Member
• Defense Research Institute (DRI), Member
• Tennessee Board of Law Examiners, Assistant Examiner

Attorney Jordan T. Richardson

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 2020

Education:

• Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Memphis, Tennessee, 2019
  
  • J.D.
  • Honors: Memphis Sports & Entertainment Law Society
  • Honors: President of the Christian Legal Society
• East Tennessee State University, 2014
  
  • B.A.
  • Honors: Volunteer Younglife leader at Science Hill High School

Attorney J. Christopher Rose

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 2009
• Virginia, 2010
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit

Education:

• Appalachian School of Law, Grundy, Virginia, 2009
  
  • J.D.
• Transylvania University, 2006
  
  • B.A.

Attorney Jeannette Smith Tysinger

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 1996

Education:

• Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, 1996
  
  • J.D.
• East Tennessee State University, 2003
  
  • M.B.A.
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1992
  
  • B.B.A., Bachelor of Business Administration
  • Major: Accounting

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Tennessee Bar Association, Member – 1996 to present
• Washington County Bar Association, Member – 1996 to present
• Tri-Cities Estate Planning Council, Member and Former Board Member – 2004 to present
• Zeta Tau Alpha Women’s Fraternity, Lambda Kappa Chapter, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina – Financial Advisor – 2011 to present
• Tri-Cities, TN, Zeta Tau Alpha Alumni Chapter – former President, Vice-President and MSABC Liaison for American Cancer Society and Tennessee Zeta Day Co-Chair – 2007 to present

Attorney Marcy E. Walker

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 2015

Education:

• Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Memphis, Tennessee, 2015
  
  • J.D.
• Mercer University, 1978
  
  • B.A.

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Tennessee Bar Association, member
• Kingsport Bar Association, member
• Tennessee Supreme Court, Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization, former member
• Johnson City Board of Education, former member (1999-2007)
• Johnson City Commission, former member (2007-2011)
• Johnson City Planning Commission, former member (2007-2011)
• Johnson City Board of Zoning Adjustments (2016-present)

Attorney Caroline Ross Williams

Bar Admissions:

• Tennessee, 2010
• Virginia, 2011
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 2011
• U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee, 2015
• U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia, 2017
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Virginia, 2013

Education:

• Liberty University School of Law, Lynchburg, Virginia, 2010
  
  • J.D.
  • Honors: Law Review Distinguished Service Award
  • Honors: Dean’s Honor Roll, 2010
  • Honors: Dean’s Scholarship
  • Law Review: The Liberty University Law Review, Notes and Comments Editor
• East Tennessee State University, 2007
  
  • B.B.A.
  • Honors: cum laude
  • Honors: Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, vice president (2003-2007)
  • Honors: Dorothy Shaw Leadership Award (national winner), 2007
  • Honors: Greek Woman of the Year, 2007
  • Honors: Panhellenic Council, vice president of membership (2006-2007)
  • Honors: Roan Scholars Leadership Program (2003-2007)
  • Honors: Student Government Association, secretary and treasurer (2003-2007)
  • Honors: Student Leader Hall of Fame, 2007

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Northeast Tennessee Young Lawyers Association, president
• Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, member
• Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association, member
• Tennessee Bar Association, member
• Roan Scholars Section Committee, member
• Defense Research Institute (DRI), member
• Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (ADTA), member