Gary Shockley, shareholder in the Nashville office and leader of the Firm’s former Government Regulatory Actions Group (2008 – 2014), has tried a wide variety of complex cases to judges and juries in more than 25 state and federal courts, as well as before administrative agencies and arbitrators.
Gary has been certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. His experience includes environmental, personal injury, class action, antitrust, health care and construction cases. In addition, he has represented businesses and individuals in white collar criminal investigations and prosecutions and conducted numerous internal investigations.
His extensive pro bono practice has included representation of inmates on Tennessee’s death row, veterans, battered women, children and immigrants. He has served in various leadership positions in the Tennessee Bar Association, including on its Board of Governors and as chair of its Litigation and Environmental Law Sections, and as a character and fitness investigator for the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners and a District Hearing Committee officer for the Board of Professional Responsibility.
A frequent speaker and author, Gary has published more than 35 articles on evidence, civil and criminal procedure, legal history and related topics.
EDUCATION:
- University of Tennessee, J.D., with high honors (1982)
- University of Tennessee, B.A., with highest honors (1979)
ADMISSIONS:
- Tennessee (1982)
- United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Tennessee
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third, Sixth, and Seventh Circuits
Representative Matters:
- Represented a quarry operator in an action alleging nuisance from quarry operations, including property damage, noise and dust from controlled blasting, resulting in a defense verdict following a two-week jury trial.
- Defended pesticide manufacturer in opposing certification of proposed class of property owners affected by historic wastewater discharges to creek. Following Rule 23 certification hearing, class certification was denied by U.S. Magistrate Judge and, on appeal, by U.S. District Court Judge (federal court).
- Represented a health insurer in putative class action on behalf of state medical association member-physicians, alleging breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and violation of Tennessee Consumer Protection Act; secured order compelling arbitration from trial court and affirmance on appeal (state court).
- Conducted numerous internal investigations for manufacturers and private correctional facilities
- Represented a purchaser under long-term output agreement in breach of contract claim against operator of zinc mines in Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. Secured multi-million dollar settlement shortly before trial.
Professional Honors & Activities:
- Fellow – American Bar Foundation
- Fellow – Nashville Bar Foundation
- Chair – TBA Litigation Section (2005 – 2006)
- Member – American Health Lawyers Association
- Recipient – Nashville Bar Association’s President’s Award for Service (2010)
- Member – District 5 Investigating Committee, Tennessee Board of Law Examiners (2002 – 2008)
- Member – Phi Beta Kappa
- Member – Order of the Coif
Cost
Rate : $$$