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About the Firm
320 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Office: (423) 756-5171
Fax: (423) 266-1605
Email: cgearhiser@gplce.com
Phone: (423) 756-5171
Fax: (423) 266-1605
Charles J. Gearhiser

Charles Gearhiser, member of the Firm, is one of the original founders of the firm. The primary emphasis of his law practice is civil trial, personal injury and product liability. He actively practices trial law in Tennessee. Charlie was Law Clerk to U.S. District Judge Frank W. Wilson. He served as Assistant U. S. Attorney, Eastern District of Tennessee and he served as part-time United States Magistrate from 1967 - 1978 while engaged in private practice.

Charlie and his wife, Joy, have three children. He and his family are members of First Centenary United Methodist Church.


    Bar & Court Admissions:
  • State of Tennessee
  • Federal Court
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

    Education:
  • University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D. 1961
  • Tennessee Law Review, 1960-1961
  • Order of Coif
  • Austin Peay University, B.S. 1965

    Business and Professional Affiliations:
  • Chattanooga Bar Association (President 1973 - 1974),
  • Tennessee Bar Association (Board of Governors, 1992, 1994, 1999; Vice President and President Elect 1999 - 2001; President 2001 - 2002)
  • American Bar Association
  • American Trial Lawyers Association
  • Chattanooga Trial Lawyers Association
  • Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
  • American College of Trial Lawyers
  • American Board of Trial Advocates, Charter Member, Tennessee Chapter
  • Fellow, Chattanooga Bar Foundation
  • Fellow, Tennessee Bar Foundation
  • Fellow, American Bar Foundation
  • State of Tennessee Civil Trial Advocate
  • International Society of Barristers
  • Judicial Conference for the Sixth Circuit, Life Member
  • Certified Civil Trial Specialist
  • Justices Brock and Cooper American Inns of Court
  • United States Magistrate, 1967-1978
  • Assistant U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Tennessee, 1964-1966
  • Law Clerk to U.S. District Judge Frank W. Wilson, 1963-1964
  • Rule 31 (General Civil) Mediator
  • Listed in Publication Best Lawyers in America for Business Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation

    Community Activities:
  • Chairman, City of Chattanooga Charter Revision Commission
  • Founder, Chattanooga Track Foundation
  • Golden Gloves Association of Chattanooga
  • Member of Chattanooga Downtown Rotary

    Representative Reported Cases:
  • State v. Easterly, No. M2000-00077-CCA-R10-CO, 2001 Tenn. App. LEXIS 150, (Tenn. Crim. App. March 1, 2001)
  • Preston v. Preston, CA No. 03A01-9406-CV-00202, 1995 Tenn. App. LEXIS 11, (Tenn. Ct. App. January 11, 1995), Perm. App. Dismissed 1995 Tenn. LEXIS 150 (Tenn. March 27, 1995)
  • Downing v. Bowater, Inc., 846 S.W.2d 265; (Tenn Ct. App. 1992), Petition to Rehear Denied 1992 Tenn. App. LEXIS 865 (Tenn Ct. App. October 21, 1992). Perm. App. Den. 1992 Tenn. LEXIS 679 (Tenn. December 21, 1992)
  • Foster Wheeler Energy Corp. v. Metropolitan Knox Solid Waste Authority, Inc., 970 F.2d 199 (6th Cir. 1992); Filed, Reh’rng Den. 970 F.2d 199 at 205 (6th Cir. 1992)
  • Dyer v. Intera Corp., 870 F.2d 1063; 6th Cir. 1989)
  • United States v. Frost, 914 F.2d 756; (6th Cir. 1989)
  • Pro-Fab, Inc. v. Community Bank, No. 86-8571, 1987 U.S. App. LEXIS 2037, 812 F.2D 1414, (11th Cir. Feb. 10, 1987)
  • United States v. Townsend, 796 F.2d 158 (6th Cir. 1986)
  • SMC Corp. v. United States, 675 F.2d 113, 82-1 U.S. Tax Cas. (CCH) P9309, 49 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 1084 (6th Cir. 1982)
  • Imperial Enterprises, Inc. v. Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co., 535 F.2d 287; 1976 Fire & Cas. (CCH) P325, Pet. for Reh’rng and Reh’rng En Banc Den. (5th Cir. 1976)
  • First Flight Associates, Inc. v. Professional Golf Co., 527 F.2d 931, 189 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 497, (6th Cir. 1975)
  • Cordell v. Detective Publications, Inc., 307 F.Supp. 1212 (E.D. Tenn. 1968)


Certifications of Specialization are available to Tennessee lawyers in all areas of practice relating to or included in the areas of Civil Trial, Criminal Trial, Business Bankruptcy, Consumer Bankruptcy, Creditor's Rights, Medical Malpractice, Legal Malpractice, Accounting Malpractice Elder Law, Estate Planning and Family Law. Listing of related or included practice areas herein does not constitute or imply a representation of certification of specialization.