Title: Harris Shelton Member John Ryder Honored in Memphis Business Journal’s 2021 Power 100
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Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh is honored to announce that John Ryder has been named to the Memphis Business Journal’s 2021 Power 100 list. The honor is extended to the 100 most influential people in the Mid-South.
A panel of experts, along with the Memphis Business Journal’s editorial team, identified the Power 100 recipients. Honorees are recognized for making a tangible impact on the business industry.
John Ryder’s esteemed career includes an extensive list of distinctions for his work concentrated in the areas of commercial litigation and election law. He has participated in some of the largest bankruptcy cases ever filed in the Western District of Tennessee.
As an expert on election law, Ryder is currently the litigation counsel for the Shelby County Election Commission. He also shared his knowledge and experience with the next generation of lawyers as an Election Law Adjunct Professor at Vanderbilt University Law School from 2012-2018. In 2019, Ryder was called back to the public sector, being sworn in as a member of the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors. Ryder’s impressive track record does not stop there. This past year, he was selected as the Memphis Business Journal’s 2020 Best of the Bar Lifetime Achievement Award Winner for his remarkable career.
For more than two decades, John Ryder has been an invaluable member of Harris Shelton. Our firm extends our sincerest congratulations to John on this achievement, which recognizes his contributions to the business world and the community at large.
Title: An Introduction to Conservatorships
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Title: Harris Shelton Attorneys Make 2020 Attorneys for Justice Honor Roll
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Four Harris Shelton attorneys have been recognized by the Tennessee Supreme Court for their pro bono work, joining the 2020 Attorneys for Justice honor roll.
For seven consecutive years, the Tennessee Supreme Court has celebrated lawyers and law offices for their commitment to providing pro bono services to those who cannot afford legal costs. To be considered for Attorneys for Justice, lawyers must report a minimum of 50 hours of pro bono service annually. The program is voluntary and based on self-reporting pro bono services provided during the previous calendar year when eligible attorneys renew their legal licenses with the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR).
Harris Shelton is thrilled to celebrate the following attorneys for being named to the 2020 Attorneys for Justice Pro Bono Honor Roll:
We congratulate our attorneys on this occasion and take pride in their commitment to our community.
Click here to read the full list of 2020 Attorneys for Justice.
Title: Harris Shelton Attorney Named Top 100 Trial Lawyer and Top 25 Women Trial Lawyer for Civil Litigation
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Harris Shelton is proud to announce that Amber Griffin Shaw has been extended membership into The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and The National Women Trial Lawyers Top 25 for her exceptional work as a civil trial attorney.
An invitation-only organization, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 is composed of top trial lawyers from each state who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile. The selection process begins with peer nominations, followed by a combination of third-party research. Membership is extended to a select few of the most qualified attorneys.
The organization’s mission is to promote excellence and foster diversity in the legal profession through advocacy training, networking and education of trial lawyers. As a member, Shaw will be among a prestigious group making considerable strides in the legal profession.
Shaw’s highly respected career is also being recognized with an induction to the National Women Trial Lawyers Top 25 Women. An extension of The National Trial Lawyers, Top 25 Women is an invitation-only professional organization limited to the Top 25 female attorneys who serve individuals and families needing legal representation as it relates to legal issues affecting women and their civil rights.
The association provides members with a network of knowledge and experience in handling women-oriented legal cases. It serves as a resource for both attorneys and victims seeking to be connected with specialized attorneys.
For more than a decade, Shaw, who is the managing member of Harris Shelton’s office in Covington, Tennessee, has excelled as a trial lawyer in both jury and bench trials. She brings a wealth of experience in complex litigation to her clients. Her numerous accolades for her work include National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, Tipton County Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Woman of the Year, and Memphis Area Legal Services Tipton County Pro Bono Attorney of The Year.
Shaw graduated magna cum laude from Lambuth University and earned her law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law.
Harris Shelton extends our congratulations to Amber in appreciation of her exceptional work on behalf of our clients and our community.
Title: 100 Years of Voting: Joseph Hanover and the 19th Amendment.
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Title: Harris Shelton Welcomes Attorney Patrick Walker
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Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh, PLLC, one of Memphis’ largest law firms, is pleased to welcome attorney Patrick Walker to the firm as a member.
Prior to joining Harris Shelton, Mr. Walker was a partner at a Memphis-based firm where he worked for twelve years. In addition, Mr. Walker began his law practice as an associate attorney in Atlanta prior to moving to Memphis. His practice areas include civil litigation and intellectual property.
Mr. Walker’s civil litigation practice focuses on assisting individuals and businesses with disputes involving contracts, corporate and partnership governance, breach of fiduciary duty, personal injury defense and premises liability defense. As a patent attorney, licensed to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Mr. Walker helps businesses develop and protect their intellectual property.
Mr. Walker holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Georgia and received his law degree from Mercer University School of Law.
Title: HARRIS SHELTON SUPPORTS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH IN THE TOWN OF COLLIERVILLE
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Harris Shelton attorneys joined Collierville business leaders last Saturday night at the Collierville Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala held at Ridgeway Country Club. Chad Roberts, a member of the firm’s Business Organizations and Taxation practice groups, serves as a member of the Board of the Collierville Chamber of Commerce. Harris Shelton represents a number of small and mid-sized businesses headquartered, or with offices in, Collierville and is proud to support the Chamber in its mission to help businesses grow and prosper in the Town of Collierville.
Title: Kelsey Duckett Named Member of Greater Memphis Chamber’s Young Memphis Class of 2020
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Harris Shelton is honored to announce that attorney Kelsey Duckett has been named a member of the Greater Memphis Chamber’s Young Memphis Class of 2020. The Young Memphis awards, now in its 10th year, recognize the next generation of leaders who’ve demonstrated both professional excellence and a commitment to the Greater Memphis community.
This year, despite a public health crisis, there were more nominations for the prestigious honor than any year prior. Duckett is one of 12 honorees recognized for her leadership and civic engagement.
A native Memphian, Kelsey graduated from the University of Memphis Law School in 2018 and became deeply involved with Memphis Area Legal Services. She is an active member of Memphis Urban League Young Professionals, Tennessee Bar Association, National Bar Association – Ben F. Jones Chapter and the Memphis Professional Development Program.
Congratulations to Kelsey for being named a member of the prestigious Young Memphis Class of 2020.
Title: Harris Shelton Named A 2021 Best Law Firm By U.S. News & World Report
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Harris Shelton has been named a 2021 Best Law Firm by U.S. News & World Report, a designation the firm has received for 12 consecutive years.
The 2021 rankings were chosen from the highest participation on record, with 8.3 million evaluations for 110,000 lawyers and 22,000 leading firms, according to U.S. News & World Report. Firms are evaluated based on the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in the field, and additional materials. The highly rigorous 2021 selection process also requires practices to have at least one lawyer recognized in the 26th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America list.
Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh is among the ranked firms recognized for professional excellence and consistently high ratings from clients and peers. The practice earned a tiered ranking, which signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.
Harris Shelton is honored to be recognized as a Tier One firm in Memphis for work in 14 categories including:
The practice also received six Tier Two and two Tier Three designations.
Click here to view the complete 2021 “Best Law Firm” rankings awarded to Harris Shelton.
Title: A Night At The United States Supreme Court
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The privilege of working alongside retired Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Lyle Reid was one I held for almost 10 years. As an associate, having him in the same practice where I was learning taught me more than I ever could’ve learned from books. Through the years, I watched as Justice Reid was invited annually to attend the Conference of Chief Justices event, in which Chief Justices from around the country are invited by the United States Supreme Court to convene, enjoy dinner, and learn from one another. One of the highlights of the event is attending dinner at the U.S. Supreme Court, along with several of the Supreme Court Justices.
In late 2019, Justice Reid’s annual invitation arrived once again. Surprisingly, he extended an invitation to me to join him at the banquet as his guest. Whether he heard the wistfulness in my voice as I peppered him with questions about past conferences, saw the stars in my eyes, or (more likely) grew tired of me reminding him that I could always fill in for him if he was unable to attend, I will never know. He told me that this conference would likely be his last, and that he would like me to accompany him. So, off we went to Washington, D.C.
The evening prior to the banquet, Justice Reid’s wife, Libba, who’s always the exquisite storyteller, regaled my husband and me with stories of past adventures. I was delighted to learn that a Tennessee judge would be honored at the banquet with the prestigious Rehnquist Award for his work against the opioid crisis. Justices of the Tennessee Supreme Court, along with other members of the bar and Tennessee government, attended the event in support of Judge Slone’s recognition for his judicial excellence.
Hors d’oeuvres were set up in the hallways of the United States Supreme Court building, where guests mingled before sitting down to dinner, which was served directly outside the United States Supreme Court. In 2016, I had been admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court but had not returned since. It was an indescribable experience to sit right outside the courtroom and enjoy dinner with Chief Justices from around the country, as well as Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Thomas. I soaked up each minute with our Tennessee Supreme Court justices, listened as Judge Slone’s hard work was recognized by Chief Justice Roberts, and observed Justice Reid in his element, as he graciously greeted and conversed with everyone in the room.
After dinner, conversation continued throughout the building. Standing before Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s portrait while having my photo snapped with two of the three women — Justice Clark and former Chief Justice Holder — who comprised the first female majority of Supreme Court justices in the country was absolutely surreal.
It was a humbling experience, and while I felt I was by far the least qualified person to be there, I am tremendously honored to have been able to attend.
Title: A RUNDOWN OF THE TENNESSEE COVID-19 RECOVERY ACT
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October 1, 2020
The Tennessee House and Senate both passed the Tennessee COVID-19 Recovery Act, requiring a claimant filing a COVID-19 lawsuit against individuals, businesses, schools or healthcare providers in Tennessee to prove gross negligence or willful misconduct by clear and convincing evidence. On Monday, August 17, 2020, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed the bill into law.
Let’s take a deeper look at the key points of the bill:
What is the Burden of Proof?
The Act states that a Plaintiff with a claim against any person or entity for loss, damage, injury or death arising from COVID-19 must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the person or entity proximately caused the loss, damage, injury or death by an act or omission constituting gross negligence or willful misconduct. A plaintiff must also plead specific facts with particularity from which a finder of fact can reasonably conclude that the alleged loss, damage, injury or death was caused by the defendant’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
A Certificate of Good Faith is Required.
Any COVID-19 claimant must file a certificate of good faith stating the claimant has consulted with a physician who believes the alleged injury was caused by the acts or omissions of the defendant.
What is the Applicable Timeframe?
The Act applies to any events occurring before July 1, 2022, except those for which a complaint or civil warrant was filed or pre-suit notice was given on or before August 3, 2020. The Act does NOT create a new or alter any existing statutes of limitations or repose.
Do Governmental and Higher Education Entities Have Immunity?
The Act also creates immunity for governmental entities from COVID-19 claims unless a claimant proves by clear and convincing evidence that a government employee within the scope of his or her employment was willful, malicious, criminal or performed for personal financial gain. Furthermore, the state does not waive its sovereign immunity unless a state employee commits gross negligence.
Public institutions of higher learning have immunity from COVID-19 claims unless a claimant proves by clear and convincing evidence that the institution’s employee or agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Is Worker’s Compensation Affected?
No. The Act does not create a cause of action, eliminate a required element of any existing cause of action or affect workers’ compensation claims.
Other states have taken similar legislative actions similar to the above-mentioned, including Mississippi, who passed a similar liability protection bill two months ago. A Federal COVID-19 liability protection bill was proposed as part of the next round of COVID-19 relief but failed to advance in the Senate.
Harris Shelton continues to monitor updates on new and evolving legislation stemming from the pandemic. If you or your business are in need of legal guidance regarding recent COVID-19 legislation, please contact Harris Shelton, a full-service law firm, today.
Title: Harris Shelton Welcomes Two New Attorneys
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Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh PLLC, one of Memphis’ largest law firms, today announced the addition of attorneys Henry Talbot and Richard Underwood to the firm’s East Memphis location.
Talbot is a litigation associate who concentrates his practice in the area of civil litigation. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee and his Juris Doctor degree from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis. While in law school, Talbot served as a Judicial Intern for the Honorable Jon P. McCalla, U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee, and as a member of the Law Review.
Prior to joining Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh, Talbot served an attorney at Farris Bobango, PLC. He was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 2013. His other bar admissions include the Mississippi Bar, the Western District of Tennessee of the U.S. District Court and Sixth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals. Talbot is a member of both the Memphis and Tennessee Bar Associations, as well as a board member of the Memphis Rock ‘n Soul Museum.
Underwood joins Harris Shelton as a member. His litigation practice focuses on the areas of general civil litigation, commercial, employment and personal injury litigation. He has tried more than 150 cases to verdict and has tried cases in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Georgia, in state and federal courts. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from University of Southern Mississippi and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1989.
Since 1997, Mr. Underwood has been AV Peer Review rated, which is the highest possible Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He has also been listed and rated as a Mid‑South Super Lawyer for the past 18 years. He is board certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and is also a Rule 31 Mediator.