Guild Lawyers

Graduate United States Naval Academy 1958 and University of Tennessee Law School 1963. Admitted to all state courts of record and Eastern and Middle District Federal Courts in Tennessee, and 6th Circuit Court of Appeals and United States Supreme Court.

I help you build things— patent applications, expert reports, amicus briefs, opinions on patentability, freedom to operate, due diligence, and state-of-the-art. The things I help you build assist you build your business—intellectual property to keep others from using your things without your permission, and opinions to help keep you from using other people's stuff without their permission. I provide answers, specifically to questions that need an understanding of chemistry and patent law. I have a passion and background in chemistry. I love patents, especially useful ones. Everything is an opportunity to learn, collaborate, and provide value. I do all three...

Attorney R.Garth Best is a native of Cleveland, TN where he graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1998. He is an alumni from the prestigious Virginia Military Institute (Class of 2003). Upon graduation from VMI he received a degree in International Studies (B.A.) with a concentration in Middle Eastern Studies, as well as minors in Arabic and Business. During his studies at VMI, Mr. Best had the opportunity to study abroad in both Morocco and Egypt. His studies abroad concentrated on Arabic and Political Science while studying at the American University of Cairo. Upon graduation, Mr. Best came...

COVID-19 Notice - Our firm has been working remotely for years. We have not missed a beat. We are still processing family law cases, having hearings via video conference, and settling and finalizing cases every day. Do you want to get a divorce, separation, or child custody plan without going through a nasty and public court battle? Are you a parent or family member trying to protect children from the dangers of physical and/or substance abuse? We can help you: * Reduce the conflict, cost & duration of the legal process * Avoid hurt driven decisions that you will pay for financially & emotionally...

Licensed in Tennessee and Georgia, I dedicate my practice to DUI Defense and Criminal Defense. For more information about our firm, please visit my website, www.mochellaw.com.

Mr. Brock handles cases from simple speeding tickets to First Degree Murder, however his practice is primarily focused on DUI and drug related crimes. He is one of the few attorneys in the nation certified as an instructor in the DUI Detection & Standardized Field Sobriety Testing course recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This is the same course that police officers take in order to make DUI arrests while in the Academy. As impaired driving laws with regards to substances other than alcohol are becoming more prevalent, Mr. Brock is ahead of the curve...

From an early age, I was always told that I'd make a great lawyer. Often to my parents' dismay, my ability to argue my case was a gift. While I always had some aptitude for negotiation and problem solving, I've made developing those skills, and the pursuit of excellence in the legal industry my life's work. When it came time for college, I attended my parents' alma mater, Samford University. I majored in philosophy–a pursuit that would later serve me well in my personal intellectual life and as an attorney. Upon graduating from Samford in 2005, I immediately...

Mr. Higgins is a Nashville native. He attended the University of Tennessee where he graduated with honors and returned to home to work with a large insurance defense law firm. About 17 years ago Mr. Higgins left the defense practice and created a firm that only represents injured victims and their families. To better serve his clients the firm is broken down into specific litigation groups, such as the nursing home neglect division and serious injury division.

Mr. Higgins is a member of the million dollar advocates forum, recognized by Best Lawyers and is a board...

Born and raised in Chattanooga, TN, Micah graduated from the McCallie School. Micah then earned a full scholarship to Tennessee State University, graduating in 3 years. After graduation, he worked at the Tennessee State Legislature as an intern for the Senate General Welfare, Health & Human Resources Committee. Micah then worked at Congress as an intern in the U.S. House of Representatives. From there, he went back to the State Legislature to serve once more as an intern in the Senate. Micah decided to attend law school after seeing many of the people at the Legislature...

My legal career has focused on protecting the rights of individuals against big corporations. My main work in this regard is in three areas: (1) pursuing justice for victims of dangerous corporate products (mainly mesothelioma / asbestos victims); (2) representing labor unions; & (3) advocating for employee's rights.

Layne Gillespie received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina in 2002 and a Juris Doctor from the Appalachian School of Law in 2007. Layne began her legal career in Virginia as an intern for the Honorable Michael L. Moore, Circuit Court Judge for the 29th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. After her internship, Layne worked at ChildLaw Services, Inc., a non-profit organization devoted to the representation of abused and neglected children. Upon relocating to Chattanooga in 2008, Layne joined Clark & Washington, LLC as an associate attorney where she practiced bankruptcy...

Amanda manages a boutique firm which serves clients in Tennessee and Georgia. Amanda focuses primarily on business and estates matters including: contracts, trademarks, business formation, wills & trusts, powers of attorney, and probate.

Martin L. Pierce is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, and received his undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, from Tennessee Technological University in 1978. He received that institution's Outstanding Young Alumnus Award in 1988. Martin received his law degree, with high honors, from the University of Memphis in 1981, where he was a published member of the University of Memphis Law Review. He is licensed to practice law in Tennessee and Georgia, as well as before the U.S. Tax Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Martin works primarily in the areas of: (1) Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Elder Law,...

I represent families and individuals seeking legal status or citizenship in the United States, entrepreneurs starting or purchasing businesses, and businesses hiring or transferring foreign workers. Our cases include adjustment of status (green cards), citizenship, fiancee visas (K1), business visas (E, L, H-1B, O-1), and people with extraordinary ability (EB-2 with National Interest Waiver).

Litchford is a founding member of Litchford, Pearce & Associates, PLLC. Litchford is licensed to practice in Tennessee and Georgia and concentrates his practice in government law, commercial litigation, personal injury, business transactions, and criminal defense. In 2016, Litchford was named a “2016 Rising Star” by Super Lawyers of Thomson Reuters.

Litchford has extensive trial experience in representing clients in a variety of areas, including governmental regulations, personal injury, criminal defense, federal and state constitutional law, real property disputes, and public records and annexation actions. Litchford also serves as general representation counsel to various companies involved in the following markets:...

Mr. Weiss concentrates his practice on civil litigation and criminal defense. This defense lawyer represents individuals and businesses in a wide range of legal issues. He has handled an array of civil cases including automobile collisions, malicious prosecution, defamation, bad faith insurance claims, residential construction disputes, and many others.

As a keen negotiator and litigator, this criminal law attorney has resolved numerous cases that achieve results that meet or exceed client expectations. As a strong proponent of zealous advocacy, Mr. Weiss stands up for the rights of his clients. For those accused of a crime, Mr. Weiss is able to effectively...

Graduated Vanderbilt University in 2002 Graduated from University of TN College of Law in 2005 Former Law Clerk to the Honorable Joseph Tipton on TN Court of Criminal Appeals Worked with Summer, Rufolo & Rodgers (formerly known as Summers & Wyatt) in Chattanooga since 2006 Specializes in appellate work and criminal defense, including state and federal cases.

Patrick A. Cruise is licensed in Tennessee, Georgia, and Louisiana. Patrick has handled over one thousand cases, including jury trials in Tennessee, Georgia, and Louisiana. He has obtained millions of dollars in compensation for his clients, including numerous six and seven figure settlements, judgements, and verdicts. Patrick focuses primarily on serious injuries involving commercial motor vehicle wrecks, and is Board Certified in Truck Wreck Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

Jeffrey W. Rufolo grew up in New Jersey and originally came to Chattanooga in 1983 to attend the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on a wrestling scholarship. He liked the area so much he decided to stay. Since joining Summers, Rufolo & Rodgers, Mr. Rufolo has successfully represented those who have been injured on the job, or injured in car accidents, fall down cases, or other premises liability type cases due to the negligence of others. Recently, Mr. Rufolo successfully overturned an unfavorable decision from the trial court in a wrongful death lawsuit brought against Hamilton County, Tennessee, in which a...

Nick has practiced law since 2012. His main practice areas include automobile liability, business and commercial litigation, family law, construction litigation, and premises liability, among other general civil litigation matter.

Wayne grew up around Law Enforcement and Education. Wayne spent his formative years being active in the outdoors and sports. Wayne spent 12+ years in private sector investigations and holds advanced interview and interrogation techniques certifications.

I am happily married to my wife, Heather, and I am the proud father of three amazingly beautiful daughters. My life revolves around my family. I started practicing law in 2006 and I have operated a successful law practice since 2007 where I have represented hundreds of clients in personal injury cases, divorces, child custody battles, murder cases, drug cases, business disputes, etc. I have obtained six-figure settlements for some of my clients through aggressive and strategic negotiation. I have won numerous trials in custody battles. I have saved clients from life sentences. I have...

John was born and raised in Chattanooga. He was active in the Boy Scouts growing up and earned his Eagle Scout Award. In law school, John earned the Book Award in his estate planning class for the highest grade. Prior to joining his father's law practice in 2002, he worked for two years with UBS Trust Company (formerly Bradford Trust Company). John speaks on the areas of Chattanooga estate planning and probate to other attorneys and professionals, as well as the public. In the past, John served on local boards such as the Orange Grove Center, the Siskin...

Attorney Chase Walker is a young attorney full of energy and a desire to help others. Over the years, Chase has seen numerous legal issues arise with various friends and family members and often heard the same two complaints: I can't afford an attorney, and I don't feel like my interests are being fairly represented. Too often, attorneys claim to be client-centered, while simultaneously trying to figure out how they can resolve as many cases as quickly as possible, for the maximum profit, and with the least amount of time and effort possible. After taking the bar exam, Chase put...

As the founder of Jackson Law Firm, PLLC, I provide counsel in Social Security Disability and personal injury cases. Prior to deciding to found my own firm, I spent a number of years with several firms in the Southeastern United States. After spending the early years of my career working at larger law firms, it was clear to me that I should start my own firm to help the injured and disabled in the way I believe it should be done. By keeping the firm small, we are able to give our clients their legal concerns the...

Michael started working on construction sites with his dad at a very young age. In 1986 he worked as a laborer then moved up to carpenter building Hamilton Place mall in Chattanooga. In 1989 he obtained an Associate Degree in Construction Engineering then went to work as a commercial Superintendent for a large national General Contractor. In 1993, he became a business owner of a commercial general contracting firm that grew to building in 13 states. He was the license holder for the firm and built over 350 projects including industrial, retail, churches, and hospitality. In 2010 he started a residential and...

Shaheen I. Imami is the managing Member of Imami Law, PLLC, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mr. Imami practices solely in the trusts and estates area and assists clients with: estate planning; trust, estate, and incapacity administration; and trust, estate, and fiduciary litigation. Having significant experience in each of these areas allows him to provide better, and more practical, advice to his clients. He primarily serves clients in Tennessee and Michigan, but with colleagues can assist clients throughout the United States. Mr. Imami holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Michigan State University. He earned his law degree from Georgia State University...

Associate Attorney at England Injury Law, specializing in personal injury. RaDonna has over 15 years of experience in the personal injury field. She started as a runner at a local personal injury firm in Chattanooga while she finished her undergraduate degree in Public Administration and Non-Profit Management at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She worked her way up from runner to paralegal where she stayed for 11 years. In 2019 she decided to go to law school. She continued to work while completing her law degree at Lincoln Memorial- Duncan School of Law. She is a first-generation lawyer who...

Valerie W. Epstein currently owns her own firm concentrating her practice in the areas of civil litigation, wills and estates, arbitration/mediation and business. She has been a practicing Rule 31 mediator for over 10 years and she has been a commercial arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association for over 15 years (by invitation only). She was awarded a contract with the State of Tennessee to perform Independent External Reviews and she is a neutral for the American Health Lawyers Association. She has had numerous cases in Chancery, Circuit and Sessions court in Hamilton County representing both plaintiffs and defendants. She...

Morgan Adams limits his practice to cases involving tractor trailers, buses, dump trucks, box trucks, and other commercial vehicles involving wrongful death and serious personal injury. With offices on the East Coast and West Coast he is able to handle cases nationally. He has helped injured clients in 42 states to date.

I am a Tennessee-licensed attorney and my practice focuses exclusively on assisting my clients with the acquisition, maintenance and enforcement of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights.

One of my primary roles is to identify potentially patentable inventions and the scope of protection available for those inventions. In this role, I regularly prepare, file and prosecute U.S. patent applications before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and also work with attorneys around the world in order to obtain foreign patent protection.

I also assist clients in identifying competing technologies that might limit the scope of their patent protection or...

Mr. MacNeill graduated with honors from Nashville School of Law.

John Mark Griffin obtained his doctorate of jurisprudence from the University of Mississippi in 1988. He obtained his Masters of Business Administration from Louisiana Tech University in 1986 and a bachelor of science in finance in 1982. He is licensed to practice law in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Ohio and is admitted to practice in both Federal and State Courts. For more than twenty-five years, Mr. Griffin has represented individuals hurt by the negligence of others. He has collected millions of dollars for his clients in jury verdicts, judgments, mediations and settlements against insurance companies and corporations for the injuries...