William R.Hannah

SUMMARY:

Bill Hannah is a trial lawyer who advises, counsels, and represents companies and individuals involved in disputes or defending against allegations of liability. He also consults with, advises, and represents attorneys and law firms in connection with legal ethics, licensure, and disciplinary issues.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Bill represents parties in connection with disputes involving commercial, business and creditor rights, disputes involving product liability, personal injury and wrongful death claims, and disputes involving employment, insurance coverage and claims, construction, transportation and professional liability issues. He also represents clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as in mediations and arbitrations, and before administrative boards and regulatory entities.

Bill advises and represents:

- Businesses in commercial disputes and in complex business litigation, as well as on matters relating to consumer claims, risk management, insurance coverage and claims, and debt collection;

- Employers on matters relating to employment and human resources, including hiring, compensation, benefits, leave, workplace injury, discipline, and termination decisions and employment law compliance;

- Insurance carriers and insureds in policy interpretation matters, coverage and claims disputes, subrogation matters, and bad faith litigation;

- Product manufacturers and sellers in products liability and consumer claims litigation;

- Attorneys and law firms in connection with professional responsibility, professional liability, disciplinary, and licensure issues, and legal ethics, risk management, and best practices;

- Individuals and families in planning for life events, including death and disability, future care of loved ones, transition of children into adulthood, and protection and distribution of property. This involves wills, trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, healthcare proxies and advanced directives and care plans;

- Clients in connection with estate administration, including advice and representation regarding the administration of trusts, estates, and conservatorships;

- Executors, representatives, administrators, trustees, beneficiaries, and creditors in probate court.

Bill has been retained by and has served as approved or panel counsel for insurance carriers in the defense of insureds under a variety of insurance coverages, including Auto, HO, CGL, Workers' Compensation, OAIC, EPL, LPL, D&O and E&O policies.

Bill is active in bar association committees and attorney organizations addressing legal ethics, professional responsibility, professionalism in the practice of law, and issues relating to the unauthorized practice of law.

Reported cases on which he has served as counsel include:

- Morrison v. Allen, 338 S.W.3d 417 (Tenn. 2011).

- Murvin v. Cofer, 968 S.W.2d 304 (Tenn. App. 1997) (perm. app. den. 1998).

- Mitts v. Mitts, 39 S.W.3d 142 (Tenn. App. 2000) (perm. app. den. 2001).

LEGAL ASSOCIATIONS:

- Chattanooga Bar Association — Member and past Chair, Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee

- Tennessee Bar Association — Member and past Chair, Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee; Member, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee; Litigation Section; Appellate Law Section

- Lookout Mountain Bar Association

- State Bar of Georgia — Member, Professional Liability Section

- The Mississippi Bar

- Kentucky Bar Association

- Federal Bar Association

- American Inns of Court, Brock-Cooper Chapter — Master of the Bench; President, 2014-2015; Executive Committee Member; past Secretary

- Defense Research Institute — Employment Law Committee Member

- Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers

- Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, Hearing Committee Member — First Term 2003-2006, Second Term 2006-2009

CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS:

- United Way of Greater Chattanooga, Allocation Panel member (2011, 2012, 2014)

- Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scout Troop 172 (2010-2018)