John E. Winters, an effective trial lawyer with over 23 years of experience, focuses his practice in the areas of Labor and Employment and Commercial Litigation. His vast knowledge and experience coupled with a common sense approach to resolving disputes is vital to helping his clients save not only money but also valuable time away from their businesses. He takes the time to understand his clients' needs and legal goals and looks for cost-effective solutions that will get them the results they want.
For those cases that require court action, Mr. Winters has extensive trial experience. He has served as lead counsel in approximately 50 jury trials throughout Tennessee, and represented clients in cases filed in Ohio, South Carolina, Kentucky, Florida, Indiana and West Virginia. He has also served as lead counsel in many non-jury, arbitrations and administrative hearings.
The Best Lawyers in America, a highly regarded peer-review publication, first selected Mr. Winters for inclusion to its list in 2011 for Labor and Employment and Insurance Law. He has received this distinction every year since.
Mid-South Super Lawyers recognized Mr. Winters in the field of Civil Litigation - Defense in 2014 and 2015.
Martindale Hubbell has awarded Mr. Winters an AV Rating.
In his Labor and Employment practice, besides providing litigation assistance, Mr. Winters gives general employment law advice, provides training and represents companies in a wide array of matters before state and federal administrative agencies. His practice includes the following issues:
•Discrimination
•Harassment
•Non-Competition Agreements
•Contract Disputes
•Retaliation
•Trade Secrets
In his Commercial Litigation practice, he represents companies as well as individuals in federal and state courts and arbitration proceedings.
Mr. Winters was selected by the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2014 to serve as a member of the Merit Selection Panel for the Eastern District of Tennessee. In this position, Mr. Winters played a role in the selection of two Bankruptcy Court judges for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Litigation Percentage
•70% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Published Works
• What are the Rules After Hoffman? Tennessee Bar Journal, July, 2008
Classes/Seminars
•Anatomy of an Age Discrimination Complaint, Kramer Rayson LLP Sixth Annual Employment Law Conference, Knoxville, 2009
•Reducing the Potential for Discrimination and Harassment Liability, National Business Institute, Knoxville, 2009
•Managing a Diverse Workforce, Kramer Rayson LLP Fifth Annual Employment Law Conference, Knoxville, 2008
•Proposed Amendments to the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure Regarding Discovery of Electronically-Stored Information, Tennessee Bar Association Seminar on Electronic Evidence, Knoxville, 2008
•Preparing the Employment Law Case, National Business Institute Seminar, Knoxville, 2008
•Trade Secret Claims and Covenants Not to Complete, Kramer Rayson LLP Fourth Annual Employment Law Conference, Knoxville, 2007
•How to Select the Right Jury for Your Case, National Business Institute's Building Your Civil Trial Skills, Knoxville, 2007
•After Burlington Northern: Developments in Retaliation and Whistleblowing, Kramer Rayson LLP Third annual Employment Law Conference, Knoxville, 2006
•Principles of Electronic Discovery, Barristers - Trial Practice in Tennessee, Knoxville, 2005
•What to Expect When You've Been Sued, Principles of Employment Law Discovery, Kramer Rayson LLP Employment Law Conference, Knoxville, 2004
Honors and Awards
•Martindale Hubbell - AV Rating
•Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2011 - 2018
•Best Lawyers' Lawyer of the Year 2018 for Labor Law - Management
• Listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers in General Civil Litigation - Defense, 2017
•Listed as one of Knoxville's Best Employment Lawyers by CityView Magazine 2009-2017
Civic/Community Involvement
•fellow, Knoxville Bar Foundation - 2014 Inductee
•fellow, Tennessee Bar Foundation - 2015 Inductee