Thomas Ashurst Williams

Thomas A. Williams has over 50 years of legal experience and trial experience in all the Tennessee court systems, along with pro hac vice appearances in State and Federal Courts in Georgia.

As a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, and a retired LTC with the Army Reserve JAG Corps, Mr. Williams has experience in handling all types of federal, civil and criminal cases, including the aftermath of the James R. Hoffa conviction and his related attempts to have his conviction overturned. His litigation experience after leaving the Department of Justice includes claims in product liability, business and commercial disputes, construction liability, tort liability, fire loss and the management of risk associated with litigation. He is an author and has presented numerous seminars on topics within his expertise.

Mr. Williams has completed a term as Trustee of the Board of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Hospital Authority. He chaired the Legal Committee and reviewed laws related to government supervision of the medical field. He is frequently asked to mediate disagreements which are pending in the court system.

Honors and Awards

• AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell

• "Lawyer of the Year - Personal Injury Defense", Chattanooga area, Best Lawyers, 2014

• "Lawyer of the Year - Insurance Law", Chattanooga area, Best Lawyers, 2020

• Best Lawyers, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants; Insurance Law

• Super Lawyer, Mid-South region

Publications & Lectures

"Dial Fire for Arson," Tennessee Bar Journal, Vol.17, No.1 (Feb. 1981)

"The ABCs of EMG," Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel Quarterly, Vol.46, No.1 (Fall 1995).

Community Involvement

• Former Trustee positions on the boards of McCallie School and Girls Preparatory School

• Former Trustee on the board of Erlanger Hospital

• Civitan International, Member, Chattanooga chapter

Professional Affiliations

• Chattanooga Bar Association, Past President (1986-1987)

• Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association, Past President (1994-1995)

• Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (Member 1983-2015, Emeritus Member 2016-present); Chair of the Admissions Committee (2000-2004); Co-Chair of the Insurance Industry Initiative (I-3) (2005-2008); Vice President of the FDCC (2005-2007); Board of Directors of the FDCC (2008-2009)

• University of Tennessee College of Law Advisory Counsel (1993-present)

• Tennessee Board of Law Examiners, Chairman of District 3 Investigating Committee (1989- present)

• Association of Defense Trial Attorneys

• Chattanooga Bar Foundation Fellow

• Tennessee Bar Foundation Fellow

• American Bar Foundation Fellow

• Defense Research Institute (1983-present); Board of Directors (2003-2006)

• American Board of Trial Advocates