Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

Eight Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon Attorneys Selected As 2025 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:19:36 GMT

Eight Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon Attorneys Selected As 2025 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon PLLC announces eight of its attorneys have been recognized as 2025 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars for their legal work in Tennessee, earning recognition as top-rated attorneys in their respective practice areas. The Gearhiser Peters attorneys selected for the 2025 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list are honored for their high levels of professional achievement and peer recognition. The 2025 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list includes Gearhiser Peters attorneys:

Lee Ann Adams – Estate & Probate

Wade K. Cannon – Banking

Sam D. Elliott – Business Litigation

Justin B. Faith – Business Litigation (Rising Star)

Robert L. Lockaby, Jr. – Business/Corporate

David G. McDowell – Business Litigation

Dillon P. Thornbury – Business/Corporate (Rising Star)

R. Wayne Peters – Estate & Probate

Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon is a full service and multi-faceted litigation, business, tax, and estate planning law firm in Chattanooga that has served local, regional, and national business and individual clients since 1974.

Each year, no more than 5% of the lawyers in Tennessee are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to be included on the Super Lawyers list and no more than 2.5% are included on the Super Lawyers Rising Stars List. Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. For more information about Super Lawyers, visit www.SuperLawyers.com .

Legal Aid Of East Tennessee’s 60th Anniversary Honors Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon PLLC As Pro Bono Firm of the Year

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:26:35 GMT

At Legal Aid of East Tennessee’s 60th Anniversary celebration on October 23, Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC was honored as the organization’s Pro Bono Firm of the Year.

Member Sam Elliott said:

"Many lawyers in our firm have supported the efforts of Legal Aid of East Tennessee and other pro bono initiatives through the years, either directly providing pro bono services through LAET, through financial contributions to LAET or other worthy organizations, or through the Chattanooga Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, or the Tennessee Bar Foundation. We are humbled to be recognized in such a significant way."

David McDowell was elected to serve as the Vice President of the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Fellows

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:28:03 GMT

At the 144th Annual Tennessee Bar Association Convention, David McDowell was elected to serve as the Vice President of the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Fellows, and began another term of service as the East Tennessee Governor on the Tennessee Bar Association Board of Governors.

Longtime Legal Leader Sam D. Elliott Takes Helm of Tennessee Bar Foundation

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:28:02 GMT

On July 1, 2025, Sam D. Elliott, a member of the firm, assumed the chairmanship of the Tennessee Bar Foundation Board of Trustees. A member of the Board since 2019, Sam will serve a one-year term as chairman. The Tennessee Bar Foundation was established in 1982. Its mission is to administer Tennessee’s IOLTA (Interest On Lawyers’ Trust Accounts) program, honor distinguished attorneys as "Fellows," and support law-related public interest projects. The IOLTA program supports Tennessee’s Legal Aid programs and other non-profit organizations which provide legal services to the poor and/or work to improve the administration of justice. Sam is a former president of the Tennessee and Chattanooga Bar Associations and also currently serves as Chairman of the Tennessee Historical Commission.

8 Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon Attorneys Selected As 2024 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 15:33:19 GMT

Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon PLLC announces eight of its attorneys have been recognized as 2024 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars for their legal work in Tennessee, earning recognition as top-rated attorneys in their respective practice areas. The Gearhiser Peters attorneys selected for the 2024 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list are honored for their high levels of professional achievement and peer recognition. The 2024 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list includes Gearhiser Peters attorneys:

Lee Ann Adams – Estate & Probate

Wade K. Cannon – Banking

Sam D. Elliott – Business Litigation

Justin B. Faith – Business Litigation (Rising Star)

Robert L. Lockaby, Jr. – Business/Corporate

David G. McDowell – Business Litigation

Dillon P. Thornbury – Business/Corporate (Rising Star)

R. Wayne Peters – Estate & Probate

Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon Attorneys Selected for 2025 Best Lawyers ®️

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 13:06:11 GMT

Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon Attorneys Selected for 2025 Best Lawyers ®️

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC announced that 5 lawyers have been included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers has earned the respect of the profession, the media, and the public as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals. Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.

Congratulations to the following GPEC lawyers named to the 2025 The Best Lawyers in America list:

• Lee Ann Adams: Litigation – Trusts and Estates; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates

• Wade Cannon: Litigation – Real Estate
• Sam D. Elliott: Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Labor and Employment; Litigation – Land Use and Zoning; Litigation – Municipal; Municipal Law

• Robert L. Lockaby, Jr.: Commercial Litigation
• R. Wayne Peters: Litigation – Trusts and Estates; Litigation and Controversy – Tax; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates

Sam Elliott Named Chair-Elect of Tennessee Bar Foundation

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 18:02:15 GMT

Sam Elliott, a member of the firm, recently was confirmed as chair-elect of the Tennessee Bar Foundation’s Board of Trustees at the Foundation’s annual meeting in Memphis in June. He will serve a one-year term, and succeed to the chairmanship in June 2025. The Tennessee Bar Foundation was established in 1982. Its mission is to administer Tennessee’s IOLTA (Interest On Lawyers’ Trust Accounts) program, honor distinguished attorneys as "Fellows," and support law-related public interest projects. The IOLTA program has previously announced 2024 grants totaling $3,000,000, to support Tennessee’s Legal Aid programs and other non-profit organizations which provide legal services to the poor and/or work to improve the administration of justice.

Sam was also recently notified of his appointment by Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton to the reorganized Tennessee Historical Commission. Sam has served on the Commission since 2005 and was the chairman from 2009 to 2015. He is an avocational historian of Tennessee during the Civil War and has had several books, essays and articles published, including award-winning biographies of Isham G. Harris and John C. Brown.

GPEC Attorney Joshua Anderson Named 2024 Maryville College Alumni Award Winner

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 19:47:29 GMT

GPEC Attorney Joshua Anderson Named 2024 Maryville College Alumni Award Winner

Congrats to Joshua Anderson on being selected as the co-recipient of Maryville College’s Kin Takahashi Award for Young Alumni, along with his wife Molly Ridgeway Anderson, in recognition of their advocacy and lobbying for the passage of multiple Tennessee laws over the past few years. You can read more about this honor

here:

https://www.maryvillecollege.edu/news/2024/four-scots-honored-with-2024-maryville-college-alumni-awards/ .

Half a Century of Excellence: GPEC Celebrates Firm’s 50th Anniversary

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 18:11:39 GMT

July 1, 2024 is the fiftieth anniversary of the start of our law firm, Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC. For fifty years, our lawyers have served our clients, our profession and our community. Growing from our first three founding members to now number fourteen lawyers, we have successfully guided our clients through a wide range of legal matters, representing individuals, estates, foundations, businesses and governments.

Our lawyers have been in leadership at almost every level of the legal profession, including the Tennessee Bar Association, Chattanooga Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Division, American Bar Association, Chattanooga Bar Foundation, Tennessee Bar Foundation, Chattanooga Tax Practitioners and the Estate Planning Council. Two have served as president of the Tennessee Bar Association, and three as president of the Chattanooga Bar Association. Demonstrating the esteem of fellow members of the legal profession, members of the firm have been honored as fellows of the American Bar Foundation, Tennessee Bar Foundation, Chattanooga Bar Foundation and the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers. Our lawyers have also participated in our local American Inns of Court and Southeast Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women. Six have been designated as Mid-South Super Lawyers, two as Super Lawyers Rising Stars, and four among the Best Lawyers in America.

Reflecting involvement in the community, several of our lawyers have engaged in various non-profit activities, including Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Girls Inc. of Chattanooga, McKamey Animal Center, the University of Chattanooga Foundation, the McCallie School, St. Nicholas School, North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy, Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association, Friends of the Park, Bethel Bible Village, University of Tennessee Alumni Association Board of Governors and the Tennessee Historical Commission. Our lawyers have served in the leadership of their various churches, and several provide pro bono legal work for Legal Aid of East Tennessee and other charitable organizations.

Commenting on the occasion, founding member Wayne Peters said, "It is with great pride that we celebrate our fiftieth anniversary. Our firm has zealously and effectively served our clients, while maintaining a family friendly atmosphere for our attorneys and staff. With a great blend of older and younger lawyers, we look forward to many more years of practice together."

Lee Ann Adams elected as a Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation

Thu, 09 May 2024 15:27:07 GMT

The firm is proud to announce that Lee Ann Adams has recently been elected a Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation, an association of approximately 850 attorneys across the state. Invitations to membership, which is a position of honor, were extended to 29 attorneys by the Board of Trustees. Lee Ann joins fellow members of the firm, Wayne Peters, Robert Lockaby, Sam Elliott (pictured) and David McDowell as a Tennessee Bar Foundation Fellow. The Bar Foundation has a two-fold purpose: to recognize attorneys who have distinguished themselves in the community and the profession, and to administer a grant making program.

David McDowell Re-Elected as East TN Governor for the TN Bar Association Board of Governors

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 16:06:40 GMT

David McDowell was recently elected to serve his second term as the East Tennessee Governor on the Tennessee Bar Association Board of Governors, and as treasurer for the YLD Fellows. David has previously served as the 3rd District Governor for the Board of Governors, and as the YLD President. David is a fellow of the Tennessee Bar and American Bar Foundations.

Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon PLLC Announces 2023 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 19:23:58 GMT

Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon PLLC announces several of its attorneys have been recognized as 2023 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars for their legal work in Tennessee, earning recognition as top-rated attorneys in their respective practice areas. The Gearhiser Peters attorneys selected for the 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list are honored for their high levels of professional achievement and peer recognition. The 2023 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list includes Gearhiser Peters attorneys:

Lee Ann Adams – Estate & Probate
Wade K. Cannon - Banking
Sam D. Elliott – Business Litigation
Justin B. Faith – Business Litigation (Rising Star)
Robert L. Lockaby, Jr. – Business/Corporate
R. Wayne Peters – Estate & Probate

Justin Faith Honored as Fellow of American Bar Foundation

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 15:55:04 GMT

GPEC attorney Justin Faith was recently honored and named as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (ABF).

The ABF is an honorary organization of distinguished attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the profession and service to society. Faith was nominated by his Tennessee lawyer peers and selected by the ABF Board, where membership is strictly limited to only 1% of lawyers licensed to practice in each jurisdiction. The ABF is a seventy-year old impartial and non-partisan nonprofit, independent research institute which supports and advances the most pressing and cutting edge legal research issues facing the legal system.

Faith focuses his practice on civil business litigation and estate litigation. Faith has been involved in bar leadership at the local, state, and national level and has been recognized as a Super Lawyers®️ Rising Star in Business Litigation for the past several years. Faith earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville.

Lawless Looking to Start Cyber-security Practice

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 12:37:20 GMT

By David Laprad

After 20 years of raiding drug houses, eavesdropping on hackers and keeping tabs on terrorists, FBI Special Agent Jason Lawless decided to do something less stressful – become an attorney.

Upon retiring from the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 50, Lawless landed at Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon in Chattanooga, where he intends to develop a cybersecurity practice.

Lawless is no stranger to the practice of law or Chattanooga. An Alabama native whose widowed mother moved to the Scenic City after she remarried, he graduated from McCallie School, earned an international studies degree at Georgia Tech and then became a proud alumnus of the University of Tennessee College of Law.

After working as a prosecutor in the district attorney’s office in Nashville for four years, he finally received the call on which he’d been eagerly waiting – an invitation from the FBI to serve his country.

Although Lawless expressed a desire to return to Chattanooga after completing his training at the FBI Academy, commonly referred to as “Quantico,” the agency sent him to Washington, D.C., to earn his stripes.

Here, Lawless discusses the dangers and excitement of working for the FBI and setting those things aside to practice at a small and serene Chattanooga law firm:

Asking why you pursued a job with the FBI seems like a good place to start.

“It’s also an easy place to start. I was raised on TV shows and movies about the FBI, and it seemed like it would be a cool adventure. At the same time, I thought it would satisfy my desire to serve.”

Was serving as fun as you’d imagined it would be?

“When you’re a young agent, you think working for the FBI is going to be super fun and cool, like ‘Miami Vice.’ But that’s not what that world looks like. The first time you raid a drug house, it’s terrifying. And the way some people are living is sad.

“Also, things that are exciting the first time you do them – such as mobile surveillance or chasing a suspect – become routine. I remember thinking, ‘Great, we’re going to be sitting in a car for eight hours today.’ I’d have to remind myself that not everyone gets to do what I do.”

You started in counterintelligence. What was that like for a former prosecutor accustomed to putting drug dealers and murderers behind bars?

“Culture shock. But it was also interesting because I was able to see some of the bigger picture and learn why the United States cares about certain things and why it’s important to protect this country.

“One of the things I liked about being a prosecutor was the freedom to pursue justice, whether it involved dropping a hammer on a sex criminal, or showing mercy to someone who was a victim of their circumstances and could be rehabilitated. I had cases where, against certain people’s wishes, I showed mercy, and I had cases where I had to withhold mercy to protect society.

“When I became an agent for the FBI, I was still pursuing justice, but in a different way.”

Your work eventually led you to various stints with cybersecurity. Fast forward to when you were a squad supervisor in D.C. What was your most memorable case?

“We had a case in which we extradited someone from Europe who was laundering money for a hacking group. We indicted the hackers, which went against my nature as a counterintelligence guy because you don’t indict people in counterintelligence, you spy on them. But we knew who the hackers were and they were committing crimes that were costing Americans and Europeans hundreds of millions of dollars – despite not being very good at what they were doing.

“One thing they did caused the stock market to hiccup, which was impressive for such an untalented bunch. If they ever make the mistake of traveling to a country with an extradition treaty with the U.S., they’ll be arrested and brought here to enjoy our justice system.”

After a stretch in St. Louis, where you supervised a joint terrorism task force, you veered into senior executive territory, which distanced you even further from the hands-on part of missions. Did you still feel like you were serving justice?

“In a way. When I returned to headquarters, I created a business management division that oversaw our technology infrastructure. The FBI has 56 major offices in the U.S. and computers for 38,000 employees. So, when Microsoft releases a new version of Windows, the agency has to make sure those computers aren’t too old for the upgrade.

“The FBI essentially wanted someone minding the money, which was out of my comfort zone. I’m a special agent and a former prosecutor, not an MBA. But we did save the agency millions of dollars because of the way we approached certain things. I also enjoyed learning about the business end of the stick.”

Your CV with the FBI is far more extensive than we have space to discuss. However, what was your most challenging career move?

“My son and daughter loved North Virginia, so when the FBI transferred me to St. Louis, I promised we could return if the agency ever promoted me again. I later put in for four senior executive positions, three of which would have been in either Northern Virginia or D.C. One was in Maryland, however, and that’s the one I got. I’d made a promise, though, so we moved back to North Virginia and I made the 56-mile commute to Fort Meade every day in D.C. traffic.”

What was the lesson there?

“Be careful what you promise in life.”

What led to your decision to retire from the FBI at 50?

“My ambition outran my happiness. Stopping is hard; there’s always another promotion to chase. But at a certain point, I realized I was doing what I was doing just to receive the next rank or title and I was no longer having fun.”

Why become a lawyer at a firm? Why not consult from your home office?

“I wanted to use my experience in a way that would be satisfying. I considered working in the IT industry, but my heart wasn’t in it. I’m from here, and my wife loves it here, and I wanted to be a part of this community. Many IT jobs are remote, but contracting with a company out of Northern Virginia and talking with them over Zoom every day wouldn’t allow me to be a part of this community.”

Your wife, Gigi Lawless, is an estate planning and administration attorney at Gearhiser. Did that play a role in you joining that firm?

“Absolutely. She loves her work and the people here, so when the firm asked me if wanted to practice law again, I said yes. However, I want to focus on things I know; I don’t want to tackle something new. So I’ll be concentrating on cybersecurity and IT legal issues and probably doing some criminal defense work.”

What kind of case might you take?

“Companies are dealing with a deluge of regulatory issues in cybersecurity and data privacy right now. My experience will allow me to walk clients through those scenarios and make sure they know the laws, which are constantly changing.

“I’ll essentially be an adviser. If a large bank is in the midst of a ransomware situation, for example, its leadership might have questions. Do they need to call the FBI? Should they tell a regulator? I’ll use my experience in that world to identify their options and guide them through that situation.”

Considering all you experienced while working for the FBI, does anything about living and working in Chattanooga rattle you?

“Being in a car my teenage son is driving. It’s terrifying. Kids don’t realize how dangerous that is because they’re young, but when you’re 50, you think only about the dangers.”

How do you relax after a ride with your son?

“I’ve taken up golfing. I’m terrible at it but I need something to keep me active and get me outside, especially as I cross 50. I’m not a hunter and I don’t fish, so golf it is.”

Justin Faith Named ABA Membership Chair For Tennessee

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 20:07:26 GMT

Chattanooga lawyer Justin B. Faith has been appointed as the State Membership Chair for Tennessee by American Bar Association (ABA) President Deborah Enix-Ross. Faith will work with bar leaders and delegates to promote ABA membership growth and engagement in Tennessee. Faith practices civil business litigation and estate litigation at Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC and currently serves in the Tennessee Bar Association’s (TBA) House of Delegates and on the TBA Young Lawyers Division Board.

"The ABA is the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world and serves as the national voice of the legal profession. Tennessee has a long and storied history of ABA participation and leadership. I plan to continue that tradition, provide practical resources for the benefit of all lawyers, and be an advocate for protecting the interests of the legal profession" Faith said.

For more information, or if you have any questions about ABA membership, please contact Faith at jfaith@gearhiserpeters.com or 423-756-5171 .

LOCAL ATTORNEY SELECTED BY TENNESSEE BAR FOUNDATION

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 20:12:42 GMT

David G. McDowell has recently been elected a Fellow of the Tennessee

Bar Foundation, an association of 840 attorneys across the state. Invitations to membership, which is a position of honor, were extended to 27 attorneys by the Board of Trustees. The introduction of new Fellows took place at the annual Fellows' Dinner in Nashville.

The Bar Foundation's purpose is two-fold: to recognize attorneys who have distinguished themselves in the community and the profession and to administer a grant making program. That project, known by its acronym “IOLTA” (Interest On Lawyers' Trust Accounts), has awarded grants in excess of $25,000,000 to law-related, public interest projects throughout Tennessee.

McDowell is a Member in the firm of Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon PLLC and has been practicing law in Chattanooga for 18 years. He is a graduate of Furman University and of the University of Memphis School of Law.

Congratulations to Dillon Thornbury

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 20:01:49 GMT

Newest Member of Our Firm

Congratulations to Dillon Thornbury for being admitted as the newest member at our Firm! Dillon practices primarily in the areas of business organization, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, commercial leases, and aircraft sales and acquisitions. In the course of his practice, Dillon has advised clients in a number of high profile, multi-million dollar transactions, ranging from representing business owners in the sale of their businesses to private equity firms, to advising clients through multi-million dollar real estate and aircraft purchases. Learn more about Dillon’s practice and experience here .

Hitchcock Brings Years of Learning to Young Practice

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 16:29:27 GMT

By David Laprad

Growing up, Will Hitchcock often found himself at odds with his brothers, who were close to his age. Like all siblings, they had to figure a way to live together peacefully instead of existing in constant conflict.

A Cookeville native, Hitchcock found himself in a similar situation when he boarded at Baylor School in Chattanooga during high school.

“I lived in a dorm with 60 other guys, and we had to figure out how to get along,” recalls Hitchcock, 27.

Hitchcock encountered the same living dynamic at Chapman University in Orange, California.

While at Chapman, Hitchcock interned with Orange County Human Relations, where the peacemaking skills he’d acquired helped him to perform small claims mediations.

He also realized the law would allow him to do similar work professionally. Although he never pictured himself going toe-to-toe against other attorneys in court, he says the transactional side of the law did appeal to him.

As a new associate with Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon in Chattanooga, where he’s focusing on commercial leases, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, business organization, and estate planning and administration, Hitchcock says the side of the law in which he’s chosen to practice suits him well.

“I liked helping people think about the things they could live with or without in a transaction and guiding them toward a compromise. This is the kind of thing I had in mind when I decided to go to law school.”

Hitchcock says he also enjoys the way his practice facilitates relationships.

“I’m working closely with a couple of the attorneys here and their clients, and I like getting to know everyone on a personal level.”

Hitchcock connected with Gearhiser through a job post at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville College of Law. During his first interview with the firm, he was able to present attorneys Lee Ann Adams and Eleanor LaPorte with a resume that demonstrated his eagerness to take advantage of opportunities that further his experience.

While at UT, Hitchcock received two Academic Excellence Awards for earning the highest grade in his Legal Process and Contract Drafting classes, for example.

He was also a member of the Tennessee Journal of Race, Gender and Social Justice and served as a student attorney in the University of Tennessee Wills Clinic, where he drafted and executed a variety of estate planning documents.

In addition, Hitchcock worked as a research assistant under professor Alex Long and for the UT Institute of Agriculture.

Before attending law school, Hitchcock availed himself of another unique opportunity when he worked as a seasonal farmer in New Zealand after completing his undergraduate degree.

“I wanted to take a break before jumping into law school,” he laughs. “So, I worked for a while to save money to travel to New Zealand and then spent six months hopping around various apple and kiwi orchards with a friend. It was fun.”

Hitchcock says he was thrilled to return to Chattanooga after law school to begin working and living the life for which school had prepared him.

He and his girlfriend, Katy, live in a house in the Ridgedale neighborhood. The residence serves as a haven at the end of each workday and a base of operations from which he embarks on bicycle rides and travels to play adult kickball in a league he joined.

Moving forward, Hitchcock says he’s looking forward to deepening his ties at Gearhiser and expanding his practice as he learns more about the law.

“I’m going to follow the lead of the people at my firm and trust them to train me and get me to where I need to be.”

Click here to read full article.

Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon Attorneys Selected As 2022 Super Lawyers

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 15:43:21 GMT

Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon PLLC announces five of its attorneys have been recognized as 2022 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars for their legal work in Tennessee, earning recognition as top-rated attorneys in their respective practice areas. The Gearhiser Peters attorneys selected for the 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list are honored for their high levels of professional achievement and peer recognition. The 2022 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list includes Gearhiser Peters attorneys:

Lee Ann Adams – Estate & Probate
Sam D. Elliott – Business Litigation
Justin B. Faith – Business Litigation (Rising Star)
Robert L. Lockaby, Jr. – Business/Corporate
R. Wayne Peters – Estate & Probate

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC listed in “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News and Best Lawyers.

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 20:13:35 GMT

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC achieved four Tier 1 Metropolitan rankings: Bet-the-Company litigation; litigation – trusts & estates; tax law and trusts & estates law.

Congratulations to Will Hitchcock!

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 15:05:29 GMT

Congratulations to our new associate, Will Hitchcock, on passing the Tennessee bar exam!

Chattanooga Bar Association's 125th Anniversary

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 19:34:27 GMT

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon attorneys Dillon Thornbury, Sam Elliott, Joshua Anderson, Ellie LaPorte and Will Hitchcock joined member and CBA president Lee Ann Adams in celebrating the Chattanooga Bar Association’s 125th Anniversary.

The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 List

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 18:45:24 GMT

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC congratulates the following lawyers named to 2023 The Best Lawyers in America®️️ list:

Lee Ann Adams - Trusts and Estates
Wade Cannon - Litigation - Real Estate
Sam D. Elliott - Bet-the-Company Litigation "Lawyer of the Year", Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Labor and Employment, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Litigation - Municipal, and Municipal Law
Robert L. Lockaby, Jr. - Bet-the-Company Litigation and Commercial Litigation
R. Wayne Peters - Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates

Learning Through Leading

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 18:40:39 GMT

Even now, as Lee Ann Adams (Chattanooga ’94, Knoxville ’97) practices estate planning and estate administration law in Chattanooga, she continues to enjoy learning.

Her face lights up reminiscing over the world that opened through the course catalogues during her time as an undergraduate at UT Chattanooga. While she was surprised by the rigor of college coursework, she found a love for academic challenge and exploration.

“I loved being able to explore ideas, foreign ideas, things that were different to me, things that challenged me,” she says.

She has carried that love with her as she embarks on a new challenge as the UT Alumni Association (UTAA) president to serve the 420,000 UT System alumni.

Adams learned of the UTAA before she made a final decision on which college she would attend. Through the UTAA, she was awarded the Andrew D. Holt Scholarship, which drove the decision to don the blue and gold at UTC.

“I knew that the scholarship I had was based on the generosity of alumni,” she says. “I was benefitting from things that people had put in motion years before it had even occurred to me to go to UTC.”

Her time at UT Chattanooga came to a close as she walked across the stage in 1994, earning her degree in English and minoring in women’s studies. She had sadness over the realization that it would be a long time, if ever, before she would get to play in that intellectual world, but she was anxious to start her next chapter at the UT Knoxville College of Law.

After obtaining her law degree, Adams launched her career while growing her passion for UT.

She was involved with the UTC Young Alumni Council and attended various athletic events with her family. Her volunteerism as an alumna took on a new meaning in 2015 as a member of the UTAA Women’s Council. She served on that council through 2019 and was elected chair in 2018. In addition, she represented the Women’s Council on the UTAA Board of Governors in 2016.

Now, six years later, Adams will take the reins of the board that she credits with providing the space to understand the complexities of the UT System. She has enjoyed absorbing the information on the campuses and seeing how each unique entity has a role in the overarching goals of UT.

“Going to the different campuses, seeing the different programs, hearing the different chancellors speak on who they serve and what they are doing in their communities, it’s opened my eyes to the very special roles that each serve,” she says.

With a love for learning, Adams has a goal of making sure that she and the board not only learn but disperse the information to the alumni community. She knows how easy it can be to focus on the negative, but she knows that there is much more positive news to celebrate.

Along the way, she will ask alumni to help her not only celebrate the good but to be part of it.

“What alumni have received from the UT System is due to what people have done before them—money given, their efforts, their goals, their dreams, their vision. We have benefitted from what people did for us,” she says. “Now it’s our turn to do it for the next generation.”

Adams is married to Tom (Knoxville ’96), and they have two children, Hunter and James.

https://our.tennessee.edu/2022/learning-through-leading/

Gearhiser Peters Attorneys Continue Bar Leadership

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 13:30:35 GMT

Several Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon attorneys recently attended the annual Tennessee Bar Association Convention in June and will be taking leadership roles. For the upcoming 2022-2023 bar year, Justin Faith will again serve as a member in the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) House of Delegates and he will be the Meetings Coordinator for the TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD). Justin also received the 2022 Presidential Award for Distinguished Service in recognition of his substantial contributions and many years on the TBA YLD Executive Committee.

David McDowell will serve as the TBA YLD Fellows liaison to the TBA YLD. David is a past president of the YLD and served six years on the TBA Board of Governors.

Sam Elliott was re-elected to an additional three year term on the Tennessee Bar Foundation Board of Trustees. The Foundation honors attorneys who have distinguished themselves in the profession by electing them to membership as "Fellows," and uses their contributions to support law-related public interest projects. By direction of the Tennessee Supreme Court, the Foundation administers Tennessee's IOLTA (Interest On Lawyers' Trust Accounts) program.

Lee Ann Adams Sworn as Chattanooga Bar Association President

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 15:10:34 GMT

On February 2 at the 124th annual meeting of the Chattanooga Bar Association, Lee Ann Adams was sworn in as President. Lee Ann becomes the third member of the firm to serve as CBA president, following the late Charles Gearhiser (1973) and current member Sam Elliott (2001).

Wayne Peters Awarded Harry Weill Zealous Practice of Law Award

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 15:08:11 GMT

On February 2 at the 124th annual meeting of the Chattanooga Bar Association, Wayne Peters was awarded the Harry Weill Zealous Practice of Law Award. This award is presented annually to a member of the Bar whose “energetic and enthusiastic service to clients is worthy of praise, and whose polite and dignified manner, even in the most contentious situation, provides a model of civility that is worthy of emulation.” We can think of no one more deserving.

2021 Mid-South Super Lawyers

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 20:47:12 GMT

Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon PLLC announces five of its attorneys have been recognized as 2021 Mid-South Super Lawyers for their legal work in Tennessee. The Gearhiser Peters attorneys selected for the 2021 Super Lawyers list are honored for their high levels of professional achievement and peer recognition. The 2021 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list includes Gearhiser Peters attorneys:

R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott, Wade Cannon, Lee Ann Adams and Bob Lockaby, Jr. named to 2022 The Best Lawyers in America©.

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 13:01:51 GMT

R. Wayne Peters: Tax Law, Trusts and Estates; Litigation and Controversy – Tax; Litigation – Trusts and Estates

Sam D. Elliott: Commercial Litigation; Bet-the-Company Litigation; Municipal Law; Litigation – Labor and Employment; Litigation – Land Use and Zoning; Litigation – Municipal

Wade Cannon: Litigation – Real Estate

Lee Ann Adams: Trusts and Estates

Bob Lockaby, Jr.: Commercial Litigation; Bet-the-Company Litigation

Governor Lee has appointed Sam Elliott to another five year term on the Tennessee Historical Commission.

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 14:39:05 GMT

Governor Lee has appointed Sam Elliott to another five year term on the Tennessee Historical Commission.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC listed in “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News and Best Lawyers.

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 19:31:14 GMT

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC achieved three Tier 1 Metropolitan rankings: Bet-the-Company litigation; litigation – municipal; and trusts & estates law.

Gearhiser Peters Attorneys Selected as 2020 Super Lawyers

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 19:31:13 GMT

Gearhiser Peters Attorneys Selected as 2020 Super Lawyers

Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon PLLC is proud to announce that five of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2020 Mid-South Edition of Super Lawyers® for their outstanding legal work in Tennessee. R. Wayne Peters and Lee Ann Adams were honored as top-rated Estate Planning and Probate attorneys, Sam D. Elliott was honored as a top-rated Business Litigation attorney, and Robert L. Lockaby was honored as a top-rated Business / Corporate attorney. Justin B. Faith was honored as a top-rated Business Litigation Rising Star attorney.

Each year, no more than 5% of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to be included on the Super Lawyers list and no more than 2.5% percent are included on the Super Lawyers Rising Stars List. Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. For more information about Super Lawyers, visit SuperLawyers.com .

https://www.chattanoogan.com/2020/12/11/419848/Gearhiser-Peters-Attorneys-Selected.aspx

Eleanor LaPorte elected President of the Chattanooga Tax Practitioners for the 2020-2021 year.

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 17:49:00 GMT

The post Eleanor LaPorte elected President of the Chattanooga Tax Practitioners for the 2020-2021 year. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC.

R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott, Wade Cannon, Lee Ann Adams and Bob Lockaby, Jr. named to 2021 The Best Lawyers in America©. Sam Elliott named Litigation – Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year.

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 19:21:00 GMT

R. Wayne Peters: Tax Law, Trusts and Estates; Litigation and Controversy – Tax; Litigation – Trusts and Estates

Sam D. Elliott: Commercial Litigation; Bet-the-Company Litigation; Municipal Law; Litigation – Labor and Employment(also Chattanooga Lawyer of the Year); Litigation – Land Use and Zoning; Litigation – Municipal

Wade Cannon: Litigation – Real Estate

Lee Ann Adams: Trusts and Estates

Bob Lockaby, Jr.: Commercial Litigation; Bet-the-Company Litigation

The post R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott, Wade Cannon, Lee Ann Adams and Bob Lockaby, Jr. named to 2021 The Best Lawyers in America©. Sam Elliott named Litigation – Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Dillon Thornbury was featured in the Hamilton County Herald. Here is a link in case you missed it.

Mon, 30 Dec 2019 18:58:00 GMT

http://hamiltoncountyherald.com/Story.aspx?id=11008&date=12%2F27%2F2019

On November 12, 2019, Lee Ann Adams presented on the importance of naming surrogate decision makers at the Professional Advisor Seminar hosted by the Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley C...

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 15:35:00 GMT

On November 12, 2019, Lee Ann Adams presented on the importance of naming surrogate decision makers at the Professional Advisor Seminar hosted by the Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC listed in “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News and Best Lawyers.

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 15:21:00 GMT

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC achieved four Tier 1 Metropolitan rankings: Bet-the-Company litigation; litigation – municipal; tax law; and trusts & estates law

The post Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC listed in “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News and Best Lawyers. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Gearhiser Peters was honored to be a sponsor of and participate in the Inaugural Robert G. McKamey Memorial Golf Classic benefiting McKamey Animal Center.

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 17:15:00 GMT

Gearhiser Peters was honored to be a sponsor of and participate in the Inaugural Robert G. McKamey Memorial Golf Classic benefiting McKamey Animal Center.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott, Wade Cannon, Beverly Edge, Lee Ann Adams and Bob Lockaby, Jr. named to 2020 The Best Lawyers in America©.

Mon, 26 Aug 2019 12:44:00 GMT

R. Wayne Peters: Tax Law, Trusts and Estates; Litigation and Controversy – Tax; Litigation – Trusts and Estates

Sam D. Elliott: Commercial Litigation; Bet-the-Company Litigation; Municipal Law; Litigation – Labor and Employment; Litigation – Land Use and Zoning; Litigation – Municipal

Wade Cannon: Litigation – Real Estate

Beverly S. Edge: Real Estate Law

Lee Ann Adams: Trusts and Estates

Bob Lockaby, Jr.: Commercial Litigation; Bet-the-Company Litigation

The post R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott, Wade Cannon, Beverly Edge, Lee Ann Adams and Bob Lockaby, Jr. named to 2020 The Best Lawyers in America©. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Eleanor G. LaPorte has been elected Vice President and Dillon Thornbury, board member, of Chattanooga Tax Practitioners for 2019-2020.

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 21:09:00 GMT

Eleanor G. LaPorte has been elected Vice President and Dillon Thornbury, board member, of Chattanooga Tax Practitioners for 2019-2020.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

Firm celebrates Wayne Peters’ 50th year in practice

Tue, 21 May 2019 11:35:00 GMT

Wayne Peters began full time private practice on May 19, 1969. On May 17, the firm celebrated that milestone with a luncheon involving the firm’s attorneys, staff and members of Wayne’s family.

The post Firm celebrates Wayne Peters’ 50th year in practice appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Lee Ann Adams appointed to Habitat for Humanity board of directors

Tue, 21 May 2019 11:25:00 GMT

https://www.chattanoogan.com/2019/5/20/390566/Habitat-For-Humanity-Appoints-5-New.aspx?fbclid=IwAR1VHbXQdP4Z-OXTOnbRMsn2jD7SyU-RZMTMmWWu-Aa2wU3ok0j8V7112pk

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Lee Ann Adams will present an Estate Planning Primer at the 2019 UTC Life Planning Seminar, UTC University Center Auditorium.

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 12:56:00 GMT

Lee Ann Adams will present an Estate Planning Primer at the 2019 UTC Life Planning Seminar, UTC University Center Auditorium.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

Attorney Justin B. Faith Elected Member at Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC

Tue, 08 Jan 2019 15:36:00 GMT

Chattanooga law firm, Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC announces that Justin B. Faith became a Member effective January 1, 2019.

Mr. Faith received his law degree from the University of Tennessee with high honors, magna cum laude , and his undergraduate degree from the University of Louisville, magna cum laude . Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Faith served as the Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable W. Frank Brown III (retired) and the Honorable Jeffrey M. Atherton of the Hamilton County Chancery Court.

Since entering private practice, Mr. Faith has been heavily involved with the Chattanooga and Tennessee Bar Associations and in related community service and pro bono events. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division as the group’s Treasurer. He is a 2018 graduate of the Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law (TBALL) program, and he was selected as the 2018 recipient of the TBA YLD’s President’s Special Recognition Award.

Mr. Faith and his wife, attorney Brittany Thomas Faith, reside in Chattanooga with their infant son, Bennett.

Mr. Faith can be reached at 423-756-5171 or by email at jfaith@gearhiserpeters.com .

The post Attorney Justin B. Faith Elected Member at Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

R. Wayne Peters and Sam Elliott selected as Super Lawyers and Gary Henry selected as Rising Star for 2018.

Wed, 14 Nov 2018 16:35:00 GMT

Super Lawyers is an exclusive list of top-rated attorneys in specific practice areas who were chosen after thorough evaluation of numerous criteria. Wayne Peters and Sam Elliott have been listed every year since 2006, Wayne for business/corporate representation, Sam for business litigation. Gary Henry has been selected as a Rising Star every year since 2012 for general litigation.

The post R. Wayne Peters and Sam Elliott selected as Super Lawyers and Gary Henry selected as Rising Star for 2018. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

November 13 presentation by Lee Ann Adams and Eleanor G. LaPorte at the Professional Advisor Seminar sponsored by the Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County.

Wed, 14 Nov 2018 16:17:00 GMT

Family Foundation, Donor Advised Fund or Supporting Organization? How to Choose?

Individuals with significant wealth frequently create family foundations to help organize their philanthropy. Historically, private non-operating foundations have been the vehicle of choice in filling this role. However, a donor advised fund or a supporting organization can effectively function as a family foundation while offering much of the flexibility and appeal of a private family foundation without many of the regulations, requirements, and overhead expenses. This session will explore the benefits and requirements of private foundations, donor advised funds and supporting organizations and how they can be employed to help donors accomplish their charitable objectives.

The post November 13 presentation by Lee Ann Adams and Eleanor G. LaPorte at the Professional Advisor Seminar sponsored by the Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Elliott Recipient of Awards

Fri, 26 Oct 2018 18:24:00 GMT

On October 11, 2018, Sam Elliott was awarded the 2018 Justices Brock and Cooper American Inns of Court Civility Award, which recognizes extraordinary civility among local lawyers. The award is conferred based on a vote of local state and federal judges.

On October 26, 2018, Sam was awarded the Chief Justice William M. Barker Equal Access to Justice Award by Legal Aid of East Tennessee. The award is selected by members of LAET’s Pro Bono Lawyers Chattanooga Hall of Fame, and recognizes an attorney who has made a significant contribution to advancing the cause of access to justice in Tennessee. Sam has been a member of the Pro Bono Hall of Fame since 2012.

The post Elliott Recipient of Awards appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott, Wade Cannon, Beverly Edge, Lee Ann Adams and Bob Lockaby, Jr. are included in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019.

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 14:52:00 GMT

R. Wayne Peters: Tax Law, Trusts and Estates; Litigation and Controversy – Tax; Litigation – Trusts and Estates

Sam D. Elliott: Commercial Litigation; Bet-the-Company Litigation; Municipal Law; Litigation – Labor and Employment; Litigation – Land Use and Zoning; Litigation – Municipal

Wade Cannon: Litigation – Real Estate

Beverly S. Edge: Real Estate Law

Lee Ann Adams: Trusts and Estates

Robert L. Lockaby, Jr.: Commercial Litigation; Bet-the-Company Litigation

The post R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott, Wade Cannon, Beverly Edge, Lee Ann Adams and Bob Lockaby, Jr. are included in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Faith Recognized at recent Tennessee Bar Association meeting in Memphis.

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 19:59:00 GMT

Justin Faith was recognized at the Tennessee Bar Association annual meeting in Memphis for his work with the TBA Young Lawyers’ Division 2018 by the President’s Special Recognition Award. At the same time, Justin also graduated from the TBA’s Leadership Law program.

https://www.hamiltoncountyherald.com/Story.aspx?id=9656&date=7%2f6%2f2018

The post Faith Recognized at recent Tennessee Bar Association meeting in Memphis. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Wayne Peters has been recognized by the Tennessee Bar Association as a Senior Counselor in acknowledgment of his 50 years of practice as a Tennessee lawyer and his contributions to the Tennessee Ba...

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 19:50:00 GMT

Wayne Peters has been recognized by the Tennessee Bar Association as a Senior Counselor in acknowledgment of his 50 years of practice as a Tennessee lawyer and his contributions to the Tennessee Bar Association and the legal profession.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

Sam Elliott’s latest book, John C. Brown of Tennessee: Rebel, Redeemer and Railroader was recently awarded the 2017 Tennessee History Book Award. Sam’s book, Isham G. Harris of Tennessee: Confe...

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 19:45:00 GMT

Sam Elliott’s latest book, John C. Brown of Tennessee: Rebel, Redeemer and Railroader was recently awarded the 2017 Tennessee History Book Award. Sam’s book, Isham G. Harris of Tennessee: Confederate Governor and United States Senator, was the co-winner of the 2010 award.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

Lee Ann Adams selected as a member of The Chattanooga Bar Foundation Fellows.

Mon, 09 Jul 2018 14:36:00 GMT

https://www.hamiltoncountyherald.com/Story.aspx?id=9655&date=7%2f6%2f2018

The post Lee Ann Adams selected as a member of The Chattanooga Bar Foundation Fellows. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Justin B. Faith Selected for TBA’s Class of 2018 Leadership Law Program

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 22:16:00 GMT

CHATTANOOGA, December 13, 2017 –

Chattanooga-based law firm Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC is pleased to announce that attorney Justin B. Faith has been selected to participate in the Tennessee Bar Association’s Leadership Law (TBALL) program, a highly competitive award-winning six-month leadership program for the legal community.

Mr. Faith and other emerging leader attorneys will interact with judicial, legislative, community and bar leaders from across the state and nation to learn about leadership in the legal profession, issues in the courts, policymaking in government, and the importance of community service. Mr. Faith was one of only 30 attorneys chosen from across Tennessee to participate in the Leadership Law program. The class will meet for its first session in January and will graduate in conjunction with the TBA Annual Meeting and Convention in Memphis on June 14-15, 2018.

“We are very proud of Justin and his selection to the Leadership Law program,” said Sam Elliott, member of Gearhiser Peters and former Chattanooga Bar and Tennessee Bar Association President. “Justin continues to prove himself as an excellent attorney and valued member of the community.”

Mr. Faith practices primarily in the areas of civil business litigation and estate administration. He has experience representing both businesses and individuals in commercial litigation and business disputes, construction matters, employment law, municipality issues, trust and estate litigation, conservatorships, and various other types of legal matters. Mr. Faith received his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law with high honors, magna cum laude , and his undergraduate degree from the University of Louisville with high honors, magna cum laude . Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Faith served as the Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable W. Frank Brown (retired) and the Honorable Jeffrey M. Atherton of the Hamilton County Chancery Court. Since entering private practice, Mr. Faith has been heavily involved in the Bar and in related community service events.

The post Justin B. Faith Selected for TBA’s Class of 2018 Leadership Law Program appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC listed in “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News and Best Lawyers.

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 20:12:00 GMT

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC achieved four Tier 1 Metropolitan rankings: commercial litigation; litigation – municipal; litigation – real estate; and tax law.

http://www.hamiltoncountyherald.com/Story.aspx?id=9067&date=11%2f10%2f2017

The post Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC listed in “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News and Best Lawyers. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott and Robert Lockaby, Jr. selected as Super Lawyers and Gary Henry selected as Rising Star for 2017.

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 20:10:00 GMT

R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott and Robert Lockaby, Jr. selected as Super Lawyers and Gary Henry selected as Rising Star for 2017.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

Dillon P. Thornbury has joined the firm. He will practice primarily in the areas of business transactions, real estate, and estate planning and administration. Dillon previously completed an extern...

Fri, 10 Nov 2017 20:37:00 GMT

Dillon P. Thornbury has joined the firm. He will practice primarily in the areas of business transactions, real estate, and estate planning and administration. Dillon previously completed an externship with Magistrate Judge Tu M. Pham of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. Dillon received his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Central College in Pella, Iowa and his law degree, cum laude, and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and the University of Memphis, Fogelman College of Business and Economics simultaneously.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

On November 3, 2017, Sam Elliott delivered Lincoln Memorial University’s annual R. Gerald McMurtry Lecture presented by the Abraham Lincoln Institute for the Study of Leadership and Public Policy a...

Tue, 07 Nov 2017 19:18:00 GMT

On November 3, 2017, Sam Elliott delivered Lincoln Memorial University’s annual R. Gerald McMurtry Lecture presented by the Abraham Lincoln Institute for the Study of Leadership and Public Policy and the Duncan School of Law. The lecture was entitled, “‘You cannot get back … without some irregularity’: the 1865 Constitutional Amendments and the Return of Civil Government in Tennessee.” The presentation explored the fragility of constitutional civil government and the ultimate need for the law to be supported by the government’s monopoly of force, and was inspired by Sam’s research for his two most recent biographies of Isham G. Harris and John C. Brown.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

Sam Elliott’s new book, John C. Brown of Tennessee: Rebel, Redeemer and Railroader, has been released by the University of Tennessee Press. It is the fifth book Sam has authored or edited and th...

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 19:47:00 GMT

Sam Elliott’s new book, John C. Brown of Tennessee: Rebel, Redeemer and Railroader, has been released by the University of Tennessee Press. It is the fifth book Sam has authored or edited and the eighth time his historical work has been published by a university press.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott, Wade Cannon, Beverly Edge and Bob Lockaby are included in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018.

Wed, 16 Aug 2017 13:22:00 GMT

R. Wayne Peters: Litigation – Trusts and Estates; Litigation and Controversy – Tax; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates

Sam Elliott: Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Land Use and Zoning; Litigation – Municipal; Municipal Law

Wade Cannon: Litigation – Real Estate

Beverly Edge: Real Estate Law

Bob Lockaby: Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation

Sam Elliott honored with Ralph H. Kelly Humanitarian Award.

Fri, 03 Feb 2017 21:56:00 GMT

Sam Elliott was honored with Chattanooga Bar Association’s Ralph H. Kelly Humanitarian Award at its annual meeting on January 25, 2017. The award is given to a member of the legal profession “who has displayed exemplary service to the community of Chattanooga by civic, professional and/or other activities directed toward improvement and preservation of the lives, property and dignity of its citizens.” Deceased firm member Charlie Gearhiser was a past winner of the award. http://www.hamiltoncountyherald.com/Story.aspx?id=8365&date=2%2f3%2f2017

The post Sam Elliott honored with Ralph H. Kelly Humanitarian Award. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Jacob L. Perry joins Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC

Fri, 02 Sep 2016 20:34:00 GMT

Chattanooga law firm Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC recently announced that Jacob L. Perry has joined the firm. He will practice primarily in the area of civil litigation. Perry previously clerked for the Honorable Jeffrey M. Atherton and the Honorable Pamela A. Fleenor for the Eleventh Judicial District Chancery Court in Hamilton County. Perry is a native of McMinnville, Tennessee, and received his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude , from Tennessee Technological University and his law degree, magna cum laude , from the University of Tennessee.

The post Jacob L. Perry joins Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott, Wade Cannon, Beverly Edge and Bob Lockaby are included in The Best Lawyers in America© 2017.

Mon, 29 Aug 2016 20:10:00 GMT

R. Wayne Peters: Litigation, Trusts and Estates; Litigation and Controversy – Tax; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates

Sam Elliott: Bet-The-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Land Use and Zoning; Litigation – Municipal; Municipal Law

Wade Cannon: Litigation – Real Estate

Beverly Edge: Real Estate Law

Bob Lockaby: Bet-The-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation

Sam Elliott was speaker for Chattanooga Bar Association’s celebration of Law Day

Thu, 26 May 2016 20:37:00 GMT

On May 4, 2016, Sam Elliott was the speaker for the Chattanooga Bar Association’s annual Law Day luncheon, speaking to the bar and its guests on The Quo Warranto Cases of 1870: When the United States Attorney Sued to Remove Half the Tennessee Supreme Court”, an interesting and forgotten chapter of Tennessee legal history he discovered in the context of researching his new book on Confederate General and Tennessee governor John C. Brown.

The Hamilton County Herald story on the luncheon: http://hamiltoncountyherald.com/Story.aspx?id=7680&date=5%2f13%2f2016

The post Sam Elliott was speaker for Chattanooga Bar Association’s celebration of Law Day appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

David G. McDowell has been elected as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 13:10:00 GMT

Individuals are invited to become members of the Fellows, which is an honorary organization of attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars, because of the outstanding achievements and high character they have demonstrated in their legal careers.

The post David G. McDowell has been elected as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Corrin Fulton elected Chattanooga Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Division President for 2016.

Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:36:00 GMT

Corrin Fulton elected Chattanooga Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Division President for 2016.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

David McDowell elected to TBA board of governors.

Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:36:00 GMT

David will serve three years on the Tennessee Bar Association Board of Governors beginning in June of 2015 as the District 3 Governor.

The post David McDowell elected to TBA board of governors. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott, Gary Henry and David McDowell selected to Super Lawyers

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 16:38:00 GMT

R. Wayne Peters and Sam Elliott selected as Super Lawyers and Gary Henry and David McDowell selected as Rising Stars for 2015.

The post R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott, Gary Henry and David McDowell selected to Super Lawyers appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Lee Ann Adams speaks at Financial Empowerment Series Wednesday!

Tue, 10 Nov 2015 19:08:00 GMT

How To Be Your Own Superhero: Insurance and Estate Planning Tips

November 11 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

| $25

The post Lee Ann Adams speaks at Financial Empowerment Series Wednesday! appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC listed in “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers.

Tue, 03 Nov 2015 14:51:00 GMT

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC was named to the 2016 Best Lawyers in America Best Law Firms for the Chattanooga metropolitan area for commercial, municipal, real estate and tax litigation, as well as for Trusts & Estates, Real Estate Law, Tax Law, and Trusts & Estates Law.

The post Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC listed in “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Sam Elliott joins several distinguished historians in contributing to a new book, Border Wars: Tennessee and Kentucky in the Civil War, 1861–1865 (2015).

Tue, 03 Nov 2015 14:32:00 GMT

The title of his chapter is “’A Fighting Governor’: Isham G. Harris and the Army of Tennessee.”

The post Sam Elliott joins several distinguished historians in contributing to a new book, Border Wars: Tennessee and Kentucky in the Civil War, 1861–1865 (2015). appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Sam Elliott writes of “Chattanooga’s No. 1 Woman Citizen.”

Tue, 29 Sep 2015 20:11:00 GMT

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/opinion/columns/story/2015/sep/27/elliott-zellarmstrong-chattanoogas-no-1-womci/326969/

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Gary L. Henry named a Barrister member of the Justices Ray L. Brock, Jr. – Robert E. Cooper Chapter of the American Inns of Court.

Fri, 11 Sep 2015 13:21:00 GMT

Gary L. Henry named a Barrister member of the Justices Ray L. Brock, Jr. – Robert E. Cooper Chapter of the American Inns of Court.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

Lee Ann Adams featured in the Hamilton County Herald.

Fri, 24 Jul 2015 14:55:00 GMT

http://www.hamiltoncountyherald.com/Story.aspx?id=6835&date=7%2f24%2f2015

The post Lee Ann Adams featured in the Hamilton County Herald. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Justin Faith appointed to the Legal Aid of East Tennessee’s Capital Committee and the TBA YLD Publications Committee Chair. Also, is appointed as the Editor of E-DICT (TBA YLD’s online monthly pub...

Wed, 22 Jul 2015 20:46:00 GMT

Justin Faith appointed to the Legal Aid of East Tennessee’s Capital Committee and the TBA YLD Publications Committee Chair. Also, is appointed as the Editor of E-DICT (TBA YLD’s online monthly publication).

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

Hamilton County Herald features Wayne Peters technology use in law practice

Fri, 08 May 2015 18:13:00 GMT

The Hamilton County Herald, which functions as the Chattanooga Bar Association’s official publication, recently featured Wayne Peters and the many ways in which he uses technology in his practice.

http://www.hamiltoncountyherald.com/Story.aspx?id=6576&date=5%2f1%2f2015

The post Hamilton County Herald features Wayne Peters technology use in law practice appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Sam Elliott chairs US Magistrate Merit Selection Panel

Thu, 19 Mar 2015 19:55:00 GMT

In January, 2015, Sam Elliott chaired a United States Magistrate Merit Selection Panel appointed by the United States District Court for the purpose of selecting finalists to fill an upcoming vacancy for United States Magistrate Judge in Chattanooga.

The post Sam Elliott chairs US Magistrate Merit Selection Panel appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Gary Henry finishes term as President of Federal Bar Association, Chattanooga Chapter

Thu, 19 Mar 2015 19:54:00 GMT

Gary Henry recently finished a term as the President of the Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. In Gary’s tenure, the FBA took the local lead in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and received national recognition for the Chapter’s activities and newsletter.

The post Gary Henry finishes term as President of Federal Bar Association, Chattanooga Chapter appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

David McDowell elected to TBA board of governors.

Tue, 10 Mar 2015 14:51:00 GMT

David will serve three years on the Tennessee Bar Association Board of Governors beginning in June of 2015 as the District 3 Governor.

The post David McDowell elected to TBA board of governors. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

GPEC Attorneys selected for SuperLawyers MidSouth top lawyers

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 22:21:00 GMT

The publication SuperLawyers recently announced its MidSouth list of the top lawyers in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi. Honorees are selected through a rigorous multistage process. R. Wayne Peters was once again recognized as a SuperLawyer in the field of Business/Corporate, and Sam D. Elliott in Business Litigation. Recognized as Rising Stars were David G. McDowell in Consumer Law and Gary L. Henry in General Litigation.

The post GPEC Attorneys selected for SuperLawyers MidSouth top lawyers appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC listed in “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers.

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 19:59:00 GMT

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC was named to the 2015 Best Lawyers in America Best Law Firms for the Chattanooga metropolitan area for commercial, municipal, real estate and tax litigation, as well as for Trusts & Estates, Real Estate Law, Tax Law, and Trusts & Estates Law.

The post Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC listed in “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 15:21:00 GMT

R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott, Wade Cannon, Beverly Edge and Bob Lockaby are listed in the 2015 Edition of The Best Lawyers In America©.

Eleanor G. LaPorte is serving on the Board of Directors of the Chattanooga Tax Practitioners for 2014-2015.

Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:06:00 GMT

Eleanor G. LaPorte is serving on the Board of Directors of the Chattanooga Tax Practitioners for 2014-2015.

The post Eleanor G. LaPorte is serving on the Board of Directors of the Chattanooga Tax Practitioners for 2014-2015. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

The Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, under the leadership of Attorney David McDowell, was honored with Three First Place Awards at the American Bar Association Annual Meeting in B...

Tue, 12 Aug 2014 14:23:00 GMT

YLD Brings Home 3 Awards from Boston

The TBA YLD took first place in three award categories at the ABA Meeting in Boston this weekend. The awards recognize outstanding accomplishments during the previous bar year. The TBA YLD won first place in the Service to Public category for its Library Education Project, which under the leadership of Immediate Past YLD President David McDowell, focused on educating librarians across the state about the free legal resources available for those who need legal information and advice. The project focused on three free resources: OnlineTNJustice , LIFT and aLEGALz and was made possible by a generous grant from the Chattanooga law firm of Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon. The group also took first place in the Minority Project category for its Diversity Leadership Institute, a six-month leadership program for Tennessee law students. Finally, the group won first place in the Comprehensive category, which evaluates all activities and programs undertaken during the year.

The TBA’s Young Lawyers Division was presented three major awards at the ABA YLD General Assembly in Boston: First place in the diversity category for its Diversity Leadership Institute; first place in the public service category for the Library Education Project; and first place in the cumulative category. On hand to receive the awards were TBA YLD District 6 Representative Jason Hicks; TBA YLD Immediate Past President David McDowell; Immediate Past ABA YLD President Mario Sullivan; Matt Potempa, ABA Affiliate Representative to the TBA YLD Board; Mary Beth Haltom, ABA YLD District Representative for Tennesse and Kentucky; and YLD Board Secretary Troy Weston.

The post The Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, under the leadership of Attorney David McDowell, was honored with Three First Place Awards at the American Bar Association Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Sam Elliott designated as a Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator.

Fri, 01 Aug 2014 17:51:00 GMT

Sam Elliott designated as a Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon celebrate 40 years.

Mon, 07 Jul 2014 15:18:00 GMT

http://www.hamiltoncountyherald.com/Story.aspx?id=5532&date=7%2f4%2f2014

The post Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon celebrate 40 years. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

David McDowell was honored at the Tennessee Bar Association Convention on June 13, 2014 for his outstanding year as president of the Young Lawyer’s Division.

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 14:38:00 GMT

http:// www.tba.org/news/steen-takes-office-as-president-awards-given-at-lawyers-lunch

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On January 1, 2014, Eleanor LaPorte was named member of the firm.

Wed, 19 Mar 2014 21:00:00 GMT

On January 1, 2014, Eleanor LaPorte was named member of the firm.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

Gary L. Henry installed as President of the Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association on March 17, 2014.

Tue, 18 Mar 2014 21:12:00 GMT

Gary L. Henry installed as President of the Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association on March 17, 2014.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

Lee Ann Adams speaks at UTC’s Life Planning Seminar.

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 16:33:00 GMT

Lee Ann Adams presented a seminar on wills and estates Wednesday, February 26 to 35 faculty and staff at UTC’s Life Planning Seminar.

The post Lee Ann Adams speaks at UTC’s Life Planning Seminar. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Sam Elliott interviewed by C-SPAN

Tue, 31 Dec 2013 17:10:00 GMT

During C-SPAN’s visit in December to Chattanooga to record and feature the city’s history and literary life, the cable network interviewed a number of local historians, authors, and civic leaders, including the firm’s Sam Elliott.

http://www.hamiltoncountyherald.com/Story.aspx?id=4978&date=12%2f27%2f2013

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Lee Ann Adams presented “Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone (But There Should Be an Estate Plan)” to the Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute on November 20, 2013

Wed, 20 Nov 2013 16:21:00 GMT

Everyone needs an estate plan, even if it’s a simple one. Why? Because your home, your heirlooms and your money might not get to the right people in your life. Don’t let the uncomfortable feeling of thinking about your own demise prevent you from taking responsibility for those you love. This session will provide some guidance on how to control your own estate and ensure that your assets will be distributed as you wish.

Below are some of the key areas our presenter, Lee Ann Adams, will address:

Presented by: Lee Ann Adams; Attorney, Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC

The post Lee Ann Adams presented “Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone (But There Should Be an Estate Plan)” to the Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute on November 20, 2013 appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

GPEC Attorneys selected for SuperLawyers MidSouth top lawyers

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 22:35:00 GMT

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Sam D. Elliott has been elected to a three year term on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Supreme Court Historical Society.

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 22:34:00 GMT

Sam D. Elliott has been elected to a three year term on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Supreme Court Historical Society.

The post Sam D. Elliott has been elected to a three year term on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Supreme Court Historical Society. appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

GPEC Attorneys selected for Best Lawyers In America

Fri, 11 Oct 2013 14:32:00 GMT

Five GPEC attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2014 edition of The Best Lawyers in America ©.

R. Wayne Peters , Robert L. Lockaby, Jr. , Sam D. Elliott , Wade K. Cannon and Beverly S. Edge were recently selected in a cumulative eleven separate practice areas. Wayne Peters was also selected as Chattanooga’s Lawyer of the Year in Trusts and Estates.

Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which almost 50,000 leading attorneys cast nearly five million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a significant honor.

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Robert L. Lockaby, Jr. Top Rated Lawer in ‘Banking and Finance Law’

Tue, 08 Oct 2013 15:34:00 GMT

American Lawyer Media, together with Martindale-Hubbell®, recently named Robert L. Lockaby, Jr. a 2013 Top Rated Lawyer in ‘Banking and Finance Law.’ He was recognized for that honor in the September issue of The American Lawyer & Corporate Counsel magazine.

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Firm Members Publishing New Books

Tue, 08 Oct 2013 15:17:00 GMT

Members of the firm have new books. R. Wayne Peters has published The Life of Jesus Christ: A Chronology from the Gospels. Sam D. Elliott is the editor of The Battles for Chattanooga , which is Volume 7 of the Tennessee in the Civil War series published by the Tennessee Historical Society as an official project of the Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission.

The post Firm Members Publishing New Books appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Wade K. Cannon named Fellow of Chattanooga Bar Foundation

Tue, 08 Oct 2013 15:08:00 GMT

Wade K. Cannon was recently named as a Fellow of the Chattanooga Bar Foundation , an honor accorded to lawyers who have demonstrated outstanding records of service to the bar and to the community. Other GPEC fellows include R. Wayne Peters , Robert L. Lockaby, Jr. and Sam D. Elliott.

The post Wade K. Cannon named Fellow of Chattanooga Bar Foundation appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

David McDowell TBA YLD President Announces Pro Bono Service Project

Tue, 08 Oct 2013 14:53:00 GMT

David G. McDowell is serving as the 2013-2014 President of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Young Lawyer’s Division . Under David’s leadership, the TBA YLD will focus its service activities on one specific project: training librarians across the state how to use free resources to help members of the public in need of legal information and advice. These tools include OnlineTNJustice , LIFT and 1-888-aLEGALz .

The goal of the Tennessee Library Education Project is to educate at least one librarian in each county, and have at least one library in each county equipped with a computer the public may use to access these free legal resources. David also is challenging colleagues to make pro bono activities a priority by volunteering to answer questions posted on OnlineTNJustice, volunteering at legal aid clinics across the state and taking pro bono cases from their local legal aid agency.

The post David McDowell TBA YLD President Announces Pro Bono Service Project appeared first on Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC .

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

Eight Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon Attorneys Selected As 2025 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

Eight Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon Attorneys Selected As 2025 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

Legal Aid Of East Tennessee’s 60th Anniversary Honors Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon PLLC As Pro Bono Firm of the Year

At Legal Aid of East Tennessee’s 60th Anniversary celebration on October 23, Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC was honored as the organization’s Pro Bono Firm of the Year.

﻿ Member Sam Elliott said:

David McDowell was elected to serve as the Vice President of the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Fellows

Longtime Legal Leader Sam D. Elliott Takes Helm of Tennessee Bar Foundation

8 Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon Attorneys Selected As 2024 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon Attorneys Selected for 2025 Best Lawyers ®️

Sam Elliott Named Chair-Elect of Tennessee Bar Foundation

GPEC Attorney Joshua Anderson Named 2024 Maryville College Alumni Award Winner

GPEC Attorney Joshua Anderson Named 2024 Maryville College Alumni Award Winner

Half a Century of Excellence: GPEC Celebrates Firm’s 50th Anniversary

Lee Ann Adams elected as a Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation

David McDowell Re-Elected as East TN Governor for the TN Bar Association Board of Governors

Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon PLLC Announces 2023 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Justin Faith Honored as Fellow of American Bar Foundation

Lawless Looking to Start Cyber-security Practice

Asking why you pursued a job with the FBI seems like a good place to start.

Was serving as fun as you’d imagined it would be?

You started in counterintelligence. What was that like for a former prosecutor accustomed to putting drug dealers and murderers behind bars?

Your work eventually led you to various stints with cybersecurity. Fast forward to when you were a squad supervisor in D.C. What was your most memorable case?

After a stretch in St. Louis, where you supervised a joint terrorism task force, you veered into senior executive territory, which distanced you even further from the hands-on part of missions. Did you still feel like you were serving justice?

Your CV with the FBI is far more extensive than we have space to discuss. However, what was your most challenging career move?

What was the lesson there?

What led to your decision to retire from the FBI at 50?

Why become a lawyer at a firm? Why not consult from your home office?

Your wife, Gigi Lawless, is an estate planning and administration attorney at Gearhiser. Did that play a role in you joining that firm?

What kind of case might you take?

Considering all you experienced while working for the FBI, does anything about living and working in Chattanooga rattle you?

How do you relax after a ride with your son?

Justin Faith Named ABA Membership Chair For Tennessee

LOCAL ATTORNEY SELECTED BY TENNESSEE BAR FOUNDATION

Congratulations to Dillon Thornbury

Newest Member of Our Firm

Hitchcock Brings Years of Learning to Young Practice

Gearhiser Peters Elliott & Cannon Attorneys Selected As 2022 Super Lawyers

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC listed in “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News and Best Lawyers.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC achieved four Tier 1 Metropolitan rankings: Bet-the-Company litigation; litigation – trusts & estates; tax law and trusts & estates law.

Congratulations to Will Hitchcock!

Chattanooga Bar Association's 125th Anniversary

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon attorneys Dillon Thornbury, Sam Elliott, Joshua Anderson, Ellie LaPorte and Will Hitchcock joined member and CBA president Lee Ann Adams in celebrating the Chattanooga Bar Association’s 125th Anniversary.

The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 List

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC congratulates the following lawyers named to 2023 The Best Lawyers in America®️️ list:

Learning Through Leading

Gearhiser Peters Attorneys Continue Bar Leadership

Lee Ann Adams Sworn as Chattanooga Bar Association President

Wayne Peters Awarded Harry Weill Zealous Practice of Law Award

2021 Mid-South Super Lawyers

R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott, Wade Cannon, Lee Ann Adams and Bob Lockaby, Jr. named to 2022 The Best Lawyers in America©.

Governor Lee has appointed Sam Elliott to another five year term on the Tennessee Historical Commission.

Governor Lee has appointed Sam Elliott to another five year term on the Tennessee Historical Commission.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC listed in “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News and Best Lawyers.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC achieved three Tier 1 Metropolitan rankings: Bet-the-Company litigation; litigation – municipal; and trusts & estates law.

Gearhiser Peters Attorneys Selected as 2020 Super Lawyers

Gearhiser Peters Attorneys Selected as 2020 Super Lawyers

Eleanor LaPorte elected President of the Chattanooga Tax Practitioners for the 2020-2021 year.

R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott, Wade Cannon, Lee Ann Adams and Bob Lockaby, Jr. named to 2021 The Best Lawyers in America©. Sam Elliott named Litigation – Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year.

Dillon Thornbury was featured in the Hamilton County Herald. Here is a link in case you missed it.

On November 12, 2019, Lee Ann Adams presented on the importance of naming surrogate decision makers at the Professional Advisor Seminar hosted by the Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley C...

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC listed in “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News and Best Lawyers.

Gearhiser Peters was honored to be a sponsor of and participate in the Inaugural Robert G. McKamey Memorial Golf Classic benefiting McKamey Animal Center.

R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott, Wade Cannon, Beverly Edge, Lee Ann Adams and Bob Lockaby, Jr. named to 2020 The Best Lawyers in America©.

Eleanor G. LaPorte has been elected Vice President and Dillon Thornbury, board member, of Chattanooga Tax Practitioners for 2019-2020.

Firm celebrates Wayne Peters’ 50th year in practice

Lee Ann Adams appointed to Habitat for Humanity board of directors

Lee Ann Adams will present an Estate Planning Primer at the 2019 UTC Life Planning Seminar, UTC University Center Auditorium.

Attorney Justin B. Faith Elected Member at Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC

R. Wayne Peters and Sam Elliott selected as Super Lawyers and Gary Henry selected as Rising Star for 2018.

November 13 presentation by Lee Ann Adams and Eleanor G. LaPorte at the Professional Advisor Seminar sponsored by the Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County.

Elliott Recipient of Awards

R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott, Wade Cannon, Beverly Edge, Lee Ann Adams and Bob Lockaby, Jr. are included in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019.

Faith Recognized at recent Tennessee Bar Association meeting in Memphis.

Wayne Peters has been recognized by the Tennessee Bar Association as a Senior Counselor in acknowledgment of his 50 years of practice as a Tennessee lawyer and his contributions to the Tennessee Ba...

Sam Elliott’s latest book, John C. Brown of Tennessee: Rebel, Redeemer and Railroader was recently awarded the 2017 Tennessee History Book Award. Sam’s book, Isham G. Harris of Tennessee: Confe...

Lee Ann Adams selected as a member of The Chattanooga Bar Foundation Fellows.

Justin B. Faith Selected for TBA’s Class of 2018 Leadership Law Program

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC listed in “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News and Best Lawyers.

R. Wayne Peters, Sam Elliott and Robert Lockaby, Jr. selected as Super Lawyers and Gary Henry selected as Rising Star for 2017.

Member Sam Elliott said: