Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

I represent clients in family law, personal injury, criminal defense, and probate. I focus on my clients' individual needs. I always keep my clients informed about the status of their case and current legal issues that will effect them. I am readily available to answer questions and discuss all topics of law.

Norman McKellar came to Knoxville in 1995 after spending the previous twenty years in Louisiana. Mr. McKellar received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University, and he received his doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee School of Law.

While in law school, Mr. McKellar won the award for Best Oralist in the Ray H. Jenkins Trial Competition. He is the founder of The McKellar Law Firm, PLLC. Mr. McKellar is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Knoxville Bar Association.

Mr. McKellar practices law in the areas of IRS tax resolution and criminal defense, with an emphasis on tax and white collar crimes. Mr. McKellar has successfully defended clients in criminal cases in both federal and state courts. Outside of school, Mr. McKellar is an Eagle Scout, who remains active in an assortment of community activities.

Mr. McKellar received the highest rating through Avvo, the nation’s fastest growing attorney rating company. Mr. McKellar is rated as a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10. A 10 rating signifies an attorney of "Superb" experience and reputation according to Avvo’s scale. Avvo (Avvo.com) uses a mathematical formula and applies the information about attorneys to develop a rating score that will help individuals find an attorney that meets qualifications of the highest standards. The score is based upon numerous factors, including the number of years of experience an attorney has, the evaluations by an attorney’s peers, professional achievements and disciplinary history. This rating system is designed to provide an unbiased and valuable tool for the benefit of the public.

Ms. McKinnish graduated with a Bachelorâs Degree from the University of Tennessee and received her law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. While in law school, she received the award for Best Oral Advocate in 2003 and was named the Associate Chief Justice of the University of Memphis law school as Moot Court Board. Also while in law school Ms. McKinnish was a National Environmental Moot Court semi-finalist and completed an internship with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee, a clerkship in the Corporate Legal Division with Servicemaster, Inc. and a summer clerkship with The Bosch Law Firm, P.C., focusing on complex criminal defense litigation, including death penalty defense. Upon graduation she was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 2005.

Ms. McKinnish began her practice with Rice, Amundsen & Rogers, P.L.L.C., a boutique Domestic Relations firm located in Memphis, Tennessee, where she was a member of the Memphis Bar Association. Ms. McKinnish returned to the East Tennessee area to be closer to her family. Her primary practice areas include family law, juvenile law and adoptions. Ms. McKinnish is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Bar Association Family Law Section, American Inns of Court - Hamilton Burnett Order of the Barristers and the Knoxville Bar Association.

I am currently only practicing in Mountain City, Johnson County, Tennessee, although I am admitted to practice in California, Nevada and Arizona, also. I practice out of my home to keep my fees and costs down, and pass that "no overhead" savings on to my clients, by way of discounted legal fees. My practice is limited to Chapter 7 Bankruptcy matters, and uncontested divorces, with or without children.

Mr. Burton is originally from Tennessee. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Burton served as a police officer with the City of Sevierville before becoming a Federal Agent for the Social Security Administration. While working as a Federal Agent, Mr. Burton completed law school at the Nashville School of Law.

After returning to East Tennessee, Mr. Burton began his own practice focusing on the representation of disabled individuals and criminal defendants on both the state and federal level. Mr. Burton’s experience as a Federal Agent with the Social Security Administration distinguishes Mr. Burton from other attorneys in his representation of disabled individuals. Mr. Burton is also uniquely qualified in his representation of criminal defendants due to his training and service as a police officer.

In addition to his practice, Mr. Burton serves as an adjunct professor with South College in Knoxville, Tennessee where he teaches Constitutional Law and Evidence. Prior courses taught by Mr. Burton include Legal Studies and Criminal Justice as well as Cyberlaw. Mr. Burton is also a member of the Sevier County Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer’s, National Association of Social Security Claimants Representatives, and Tennessee Association of Justice.

Our firm's practice is focused upon the effective representation of clients facing criminal charges in both the Tennessee and Federal Court systems. Ms. Sheldon, who herself was previoulsy a State Prosecutor, has handled numerous misdemeanor and felony cases including pleas and jury trials. Additionally, due to extensive training, she is now Death Penalty qualified in the state of Tennessee. Other firm areas of practice involve Family Law, Bankruptcy and Social Security Disability. We welcome you to contact our office for a free consultation to properly evaluate your case. Allow us the opportunity to represent your legal needs during this trying time.

Robert R. Kurtz represents individuals accused of criminal offenses in Federal and State court. Mr. Kurtz represents clients accused of DUI, drug offenses, sex offenses, homicide/murder, internet crimes, and a variety of other felonies and misdemeanors.

Mr. Kurtz received his undergraduate degree, with honors, from the University of Southwestern Louisiana at Lafayette. Mr. Kurtz graduated, cum laude, from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2000. While at the University of Tennessee, Mr. Kurtz received the Charles Miller Excellence in Advocacy Award.

Mr. Kurtz is a an active member of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, having served as co-chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee for three years. Mr. Kurtz is active in the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Knoxville Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Mr. Kurtz is the representative for the Criminal Justice Act panel for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Mr. Kurtz is also on the Review Committee for the Tennessee Innocence Project.

Mr. Wright was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He attended Middle Tennessee State University (B.S., summa cum laude, 1977); the University of Tennessee (J.D., 1980) Order of the Coif, Law Review. He was admitted to the Tennessee, Sixth Circuit and Fourth Circuit Bar in 1981. Author credits include: Tennessee Current Legal Summaries. Co-Author: Avoiding Environmental Liability in Tennessee; Hazardous Waste in Tennessee; Distinguished Alumni Speaker - University of Tennessee College of Law 2008. He has been on the Executive Committee of the Tennessee Bar Association Section on Environmental Law since the founding of the section and is a past Chair of the Section. He is also the Co-Chair of the Knoxville Bar Association Environmental Law Section, the Past President of the Knoxville Legal Aid Society (three terms), and is a past Director of Knoxville Montessori School. Notable cases include: Joe Chadwell v. Knox County, Tenn. Sup. Ct. (Environmental Law); Davis v. Indian Mountain Clinic, Tenn. Ct. App. (Medical Malpractice); Deaton v. Sensaboy, Tenn. Ct. App. (Civil Rights and Medical Malpractice); Anthony v. Felknor and Cunningham, Tenn. Ct. App. (Legal Malpractice); Cincinnati Insurance Co. v. Fred S. Post, Tenn. Sup. Ct. (Insurance Law); Campbell County v. Brownlee-Kesterson, Inc., Tenn. Ct. App. (Product Liability); Jefferson County v. Celotex, Tenn. Ct. App. (Product Liability); Lockett v. Blalock Construction.

Areas of Practice:

Corporate and Banking
Environmental Law & Toxic Torts
Products Liability
Lender Liability
Personal Injury
Medical Malpractice & Medical Devices
Bar Admissions:
Tennessee, 1981
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1982
U.S. Federal Courts, 1981
U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 2002
U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1981
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court, 2004
Education:
University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1980
J.D.
Honors: Order of the Coif
Law Review: University of Tennessee Law Review


Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, 1977
B.S.
Honors: Summa Cum Laude


Published Works:
Tennessee: Current Legal Summaries


Avoiding Environmental Liability in Tennesse; Hazardous Waste in Tennessee (Co-Author)


Representative Cases:
Cincinnati Ins. Co. v. Fred S. Post (Tenn. Sup. Ct. (Insurance Law))
K.M.C. Co., Inc. v. Irving Trust Co., 757 F.2d 752 (C.A.6 (Tenn.) 1985)
Anthony v. Felknor & Cunningham (Tenn. Ct. App. (Legal Malpractice))
Joe Chadwell v. Knox County (Tenn. Sup. Ct. (Environmental Law))
Davis v. Indian Mountain Clinic (Tenn. Ct. App. (Medical Malpractice))
Deaton v. Sensaboy (Tenn. Ct. App. (Civil Rights and Medical Malpractice))
Campbell County v. Brownlee-Kesterson, Inc. (Tenn. Ct. App. (Product Liability)
Jefferson County v. Celotex (Tenn. Ct. App.(Product Liability))
Lockett V. Blalock Construction (Tenn. Ct. App - Disc Costs/Prejudg. Intrst (Construction Law-Blasting))
Wilson v. McCann Steel Corp. ((Corporation Law))
Ward v. Bush Construction ((Tenn. Ct. App. (Construction; Tennessee One-Call))
Representative Clients:
CNA
Pepsi Bottling Group
Frito-Lay, Inc.
Sedgwick CMS
Wampler's Farm Sausage, Incorporated
Family Brands International
Shaner Group
References:
Wamplers Farm Sausage
Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc.
Frito Lay, Inc.
Professional Associations and Memberships:
Tennessee Bar Association, Section on Environmental Law, 2003 - 2004
Member, Past Chair, Executive Committee


Knoxville Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
Co-Chair


Knoxville Legal Aid Society
Past President (Three Terms)


Fraternities/Sororities:
Phi Delta Phi
Birth Information:
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

The primary focus of our firm is to provide effective representation and advocacy in the areas of criminal defense and family law. Should you have any questions, please contact Tracy Phillips immediately. Mrs. Phillips is the legal assistant to Ms. Mendez and can assist in scheduling an immediate appointment.