Charles Gearhiser, member of the Firm, is one of the original founders of the firm. Charles is well-respected throughout Tennessee as a trial lawyer. Early in his career, Charles was law clerk to U.S. District Judge Frank W. Wilson, and served in that position during the historic Jimmy Hoffa trial in 1964. He served as Assistant U. S. Attorney, Eastern District of Tennessee and then as part-time United States Magistrate from 1967 - 1978 while engaged in private practice.
Charles has litigated numerous complex and difficult cases during his career, and has tried over 100 cases to a jury verdict. In the 1980's, he was lead counsel for a number of the officers and directors of the failed Butcher Banks of East Tennessee. He has tried a number of Federal criminal cases, and routinely advises clients on white collar criminal matters. Charles is also often consulted by and represents other members of the bar in professional liability matters, and prosecutes and defends product liability matters, personal injury litigation, and commercial and business lawsuits.
Charles also has worked to improve his community and profession, serving as Chairman of the Chattanooga Charter Revision Commission and as president of both the Chattanooga Bar Association and the Tennessee Bar Association, and as chairman of the Chattanooga Bar Foundation. He and his wife, Joy, have three children and four grandchildren and are members of First Centenary United Methodist Church.
Education and Academic Honors: Austin Peay University, B.S. 1965; University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D. 1961; Tennessee Law Review, 1960-1961; Order of Coif
Admissions: Tennessee, United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth, Sixth and Eleventh Circuits, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
Legal Associations: 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; 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; State of Tennessee Certified Civil Trial Specialist; Rule 31 (General Civil) Mediator; AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated in Martindale-Hubbell; Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers 2010; Listed in Publication
Best Lawyers in America for both Business Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation; Listed in
Super Lawyers; and the 2009 Chattanooga
Best Lawyers Personal Injury Litigator of the Year.
Community Legal Service: Administrative Office of Tennessee Courts, Judicial Performance Program Committee.
Community Activities: Chairman, City of Chattanooga Charter Revision Commission; Founder, Chattanooga Track Foundation; Golden Gloves Association of Chattanooga;
Member of Chattanooga Downtown Rotary Club
