SILENCE IS OLDEN NDAs and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sparked by the #MeToo movement, over the past half-decade or so, there has been a sweeping change in the way our society views sexual harassment and its victims. As a reflection of these changing views, the federal and state legislatures have enacted laws to help ensure that victims of sexual harassment are free to voice their experiences and shed light on their perpetrators, at least in the context of the workplace. In late 2022 Congress enacted the Federal Speak Out Act. The Act makes pre-dispute non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements (NDAs), as they relate to sexual harassment and assault, unenforceable. Essentially, this
Three Wilson Worley Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers
Wilson Worley PC is pleased to announce that three of the firm’s attorneys have been named to Mid-South Super Lawyers, which recognizes the leading attorneys in the state. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. The three lawyers selected for this honor are: Russell W. Adkins is a shareholder with Wilson Worley PC. He is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He has significant trial experience, and has tried cases involving medical malpractice, personal injury, civil
Andrew “Drew” Street and Issac B. Allman Named Shareholders at Wilson Worley PC
Andrew “Drew” Street and Issac B. Allman have been named as shareholders in the law firm of Wilson Worley PC. Andrew “Drew” Street joined Wilson Worley PC in 2015. Mr. Street represents individuals and businesses in a variety of matters, including corporate formations and acquisitions, estate planning and administration, creditor’s rights, bankruptcy, contract drafting, and real estate. Mr. Street is licensed to practice in all state courts of Tennessee and Virginia, and is admitted to the Eastern District of Tennessee and Western District of Virginia Federal Circuit Courts and Bankruptcy Courts. Mr. Street is involved with several local nonprofits, including the Sullivan
Dustin Franklin; new Associate at Wilson Worley
The law firm of Wilson Worley PC is pleased to announce that attorney Dustin J. Franklin has joined the firm as an associate attorney. A Bristol native, Dustin joins Wilson Worley’s litigation practice after spending seven years as a trial attorney in the Sullivan County Public Defender’s Office. Dustin is a graduate of The College of William and Mary and received his Juris Doctor from West Virginia University’s College of Law. He also possesses a Master’s Degree from American University’s Washington College of Law. Dustin resides in Bristol with his partner, Ellie. In their spare time, they enjoy hiking and
The American Rule and Recovery of Legal Fees
“Can I recover my legal fees if I win my lawsuit?” Nearly every person bringing or defending a lawsuit understandably asks this question during the first visit with legal counsel. The answer is --- well, it depends. U.S. courts generally observe the American rule, which says that all parties to a lawsuit are responsible for paying their own legal fees, regardless of who wins. The American rule is based on the notion that fear of excessive costs should not deter a plaintiff from seeking help from the legal system. There are some circumstances, though, when the losing party can be required to
Join our Team as an Associate
Wilson Worley is a general civil practice law firm providing litigation and non-litigation services in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia from offices in Kingsport, Tennessee. We have a broad range of skills and talents in our team, which allows us to provide excellent tailored service to our clients. We would be pleased to welcome a new attorney to join our team as an associate. The ideal candidate should be ambitious, flexible, and enthusiastic. If you have serious interest in filling this position please reach out to our office manager at 423-732-0432
Rebecca Ketchie; Shareholder at Wilson Worley, Listed as Rule 31 Family Law Mediator
Wilson Worley attorney, Rebecca Ketchie is now listed as a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 family law mediator. Being listed requires specialized training in conflict management, negotiation, and psychology, as well as knowledge of Tennessee family law. Mediation, which is required in Tennessee in most family law cases, helps parties craft their own resolutions to sensitive problems. It usually results in less conflict, quicker outcomes, and lower legal costs for all sides in a case. Rebecca is pleased to be able to offer this service to those going through a divorce, child custody case, or other family law matter. “In my
“He Who Represents Himself has a Fool for a Client”
Representing yourself in court is usually a bad idea. Sometimes it’s because you, the litigant, are too close emotionally to the issue to make objective decisions about strategy. But often the most immediate problem is that most non-lawyers are not trained or experienced in the rules of what evidence may be presented in court, and how it can be presented. If you cannot get your evidence in front of the judge, you have no way to win your case. The Tennessee Court of Appeals just ruled on yet another case where both reasons applied: Matthews v. UPS Store Center 3138. The
Rebecca J. Ketchie and Katherine S. Steffen Named Shareholders at Wilson Worley PC
Wilson Worley PC is pleased to announce Rebecca J. Ketchie and Katherine S. Steffen have been named shareholders. Wilson Worley is a full-service civil litigation and transactional law firm serving Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Rebecca J. Ketchie joined Wilson Worley PC in 2014, and focuses her practice on civil litigation, primarily in the areas of land use, family law, medical malpractice defense, and business litigation. She is licensed to practice in state courts of Tennessee and Virginia, and is admitted to the Eastern District of Tennessee, Western District of Virginia, and Fourth and Sixth federal Circuit Courts. Ms. Ketchie holds a degree in Political Science from
In Remembrance of Gorman Waddell
Gorman Waddell, Shareholder at Wilson Worley PC, passed away on February 13, 2021. Gorman practiced law for over 56 years. He was cherished by his co-workers and will be greatly missed. The following is an article written by long-term friend and business partner, Robert Arrington… I think it’s a sign of my own advancing age that I find myself writing periodically about someone I have known well, but who has recently died. I’ve written within the past few years about Bill Gamble, Dorman Stout, and Pal Barger. Now I find myself writing about Gorman Waddell, my law partner who died at home