William E. Godbold III, ADR Attorney in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Over 50 years of legal practice · focused on ADR, Employment, and General · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Of CounselatLeitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan, PLLC
Chattanooga, TN
Practicing adr in Chattanooga since 1976.
- 50+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 1
- Bar admission
Are you William E. Godbold III?
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Quick answer
William E. Godbold III is an of counsel based in Chattanooga, TN. The practice focuses on ADR, Employment, and General. William has over 50 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan, PLLC. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- Chattanooga, TN
- Experience
- over 50 years
- Known for
- ADR · Employment · General
- Handles ADR, Employment, and General matters from Chattanooga, TN.
- Over 50 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About William E. Godbold III: William E. Godbold III is an of counsel based in Chattanooga, TN. The practice focuses on ADR, Employment, and General. William has over 50 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan, PLLC. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Legal matters William takes on
William concentrates on adr, employment, general, health care, and product liability. Each area below outlines the kind of case William handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
ADR
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Employment
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General
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Health Care
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Product Liability
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Slip & Fall
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ADR cases in Chattanooga, Tennessee
William takes adr matters in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Employment cases in Chattanooga, Tennessee
William takes employment matters in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
General cases in Chattanooga, Tennessee
William takes general matters in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Health Care cases in Chattanooga, Tennessee
William takes health care matters in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Product Liability cases in Chattanooga, Tennessee
William takes product liability matters in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet William E. Godbold III — adr lawyer in Chattanooga
William E. Godbold III is an of counsel based in Chattanooga, TN. The practice focuses on ADR, Employment, and General. William has over 50 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan, PLLC. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Mr. Godbold is a managing Member of the firm and represents pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers and a leading clinical laboratory. He has successfully defended malpractice cases for various professional disciplines including physicians, attorneys, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and accountants. Mr. Godbold has experience in litigating product liability cases of all types including significant complex matters involving construction equipment, electrical transformers, chemical products and aircraft.
His practice area also includes employment discrimination matters and general tort liability. Mr. Godbold is often called upon to render coverage opinions for professional insurance underwriters for claims involving architects, engineers, real estate agents and title companies.
Honors and Awards
• AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell
• Tennessee Bar Foundation Fellow
• Super Lawyer - Mid-South
• Best Lawyer in America (Medical Malpractice- Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants; 2008-2022; Insurance Law, 2021-2022)
• Best Lawyer "Lawyer of the Year" Medical Malpractice- Defendants (2015)
• Best Lawyer "Lawyer of the Year" Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2018)
• Chattanooga Bar Association Fellow
• Board of Directors of the University of Memphis Law School Alumni Association
• Case Comments Editor of the Memphis State Law Review
• Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves (Military Intelligence)
Community Involvement
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Leadership Class
• Habitat for Humanity
• Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church - Ruling Elder
Professional Affiliations
• Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC)
• International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
• Defense Research Institute (Drug and Medical Device Committee)
• Chattanooga, Tennessee and American (Member, Sections on Litigation, Tort and Insurance Practice) Bar Associations
• Federal Bar Association
• Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association
• Hearing Committee Member for the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility
• Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator
How William handles adr matters
Mr. Godbold is a managing Member of the firm and represents pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers and a leading clinical laboratory. He has successfully defended malpractice cases for various professional disciplines including physicians, attorneys, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and accountants. Mr. Godbold has experience in litigating product liability cases of all types…
Who William represents
William reviews new inquiries case-by-case for adr, employment, and general matters in Chattanooga and the surrounding Tennessee area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
University of Memphis
J.D. · 1976
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
B.S. · 1971
Jurisdictions
William's state bar admissions
Tennessee U.S. Supre
1976 · ACTIVE
William studied at J.D. in University of Memphis and B.S. in University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Law school and academic background
William completed J.D. in University of Memphis and B.S. in University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice William runs in Tennessee is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
William has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Affiliations
William's professional memberships and bar associations
Chattanooga Bar Association
bar_fellowship
Locations
William E. Godbold III's office in Chattanooga
William's primary office is at Tallan Building, 200 W. ML King Boulevard, Suite 500, Chattanooga, TN, 37402. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan, PLLC
Tallan Building, 200 W. ML King Boulevard, Suite 500
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of William E. Godbold III — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of William. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing adr attorneys in Chattanooga.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once William E. Godbold III claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire William E. Godbold III — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new adr attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with William usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
William charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; William will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a adr attorney in Chattanooga, Tennessee
A short list to run through before you commit: How many adr matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for William
William discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in adr practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every adr matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. William confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
William's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many adr practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about William E. Godbold III
How much does it cost to hire William for a adr case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. William walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does William offer a free consultation?
William charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office. Some adr attorneys offer free consults — check William's current terms during booking.
How long do adr cases in Tennessee typically take?
Simple adr matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. William gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can William take my case if I'm outside Chattanooga?
William is licensed in Tennessee. Matters governed by Tennessee law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — William will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with William?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. William will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is William accepting new adr clients right now?
William's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
ADR attorneys serving Chattanooga, Nashville and Memphis in Tennessee
William handles adr matters throughout Tennessee. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified adr attorneys in that community.
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