Bryan has literally worked in personal injury and business litigation his entire adult life. He was born and raised in north Knoxville. In 1988, just two years out of high school, he began clerking for one of Tennessee’s top plaintiff litigation firms. While studying economics and religion at Carson-Newman College, Bryan was promoted to firm administrator. He managed the firm while obtaining his Master of Business Administration and law degrees from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
In 1999, Bryan graduated law school with friend and colleague Stephen Burroughs. Since then, Bryan has worked tirelessly for injured Tennesseans and for consumers and businesses harmed by unscrupulous insurers and other corporations. Bryan has litigated cases in state and federal courts throughout Tennessee and in Ohio, Kentucky, and Georgia. He has handled cases before the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Tennessee Supreme Court and United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Bryan’s energy, ethics and commitment to injured clients and small businesses has been recognized by his clients and by his peers. Bryan has consistently been voted among Knoxville's best attorneys in plaintiff injury litigation. He was selected to serve six years as a hearing panel member for the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee. In 2012, Bryan elected to serve as President of the Tennessee Association for Justice (TAJ) - the state’s premier organization of plaintiff trial attorneys. In that role he fought, and continues to fight, the Legislature’s efforts to strip away Tennesseans' constitutional right to trial by jury and fair compensation for the injured.
When Bryan is not practicing law his focus is on family, community and hobbies. Bryan is married to Tammy Capps. Tammy has also worked in the legal profession her entire life. Bryan has two wonderful stepdaughters - Lyndsey who is a nurse in Knoxville and Emily who is a student at Tennessee Tech. He proudly volunteers as a Board member for the Tennessee Tech University Parent Association. He also helps veterans coming home from active duty return to their former jobs by serving as an ombudsman for Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR).
Bryan is an active member of the Knoxville and Tennessee Bar Associations; Tennessee Association for Justice, American Association for Justice and the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America . He enjoys traveling, vegetable gardening and time spent on Norris Lake and in the Great Smoky Mountains.
STEPHEN A. BURROUGHS
After high school, Stephen served in the United States Army where among many honors he received an Army Achievement Medal. After leaving military service, Stephen pursued his education and in 1999 received his law degree from the University of Tennessee. During that same year, he opened his law practice in Knoxville. He signed his first personal in case before he could even hang his sign and move in the office furniture. He has worked every day since to serve the needs of injured Tennessee citizens. Over the years, Stephen has helped literally thousands of injured clients recover millions of dollars.
In addition to being a dedicated personal injury lawyer, Stephen is a dedicated father and husband. Nothing makes him happier than spending time with his family. They enjoy traveling, cooking together, exercising, and outdoor activities, especially gardening.
Stephen is also a dedicated humanitarian. Stephen, his family and the firm volunteer for and contribute to many different charities and non-profit organizations including CureSearch for Children’s Cancers, Disabled American Veterans and the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley.
Stephen is also a staunch advocate for victims of drunk driving. He works closely with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and supports MADD's annual walk and fundraiser. For every drunk driving case that the firm settles or wins at trial, he donates $250 to support MADD's advocacy, education and service to victims of drunk driving.
