John M. Phillips

Overview Mr. Phillips is a litigator, working mainly on commercial disputes dealing with business and asset valuation issues, including eminent domain and intellectual property disputes, as well as cases dealing with electronically stored information (ESI) and e-discovery issues. He has helped litigate condemnations in numerous jurisdictions, including Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, New Mexico and California, among others, and has participated in multiple jury trials involving the valuation of land and assets. He has also given multiple presentations at seminars and continuing education courses regarding valuation issues across a variety of legal fields. Mr. Phillips other main focus surrounds several aspects of e-discovery, with a focus on effectively managing and supervising large scale document review and production in complex, multi-state litigation. He has been a member of the Firms e-discovery task force since its inception several years ago, and has given presentations at many of the Firms offices on e-discovery topics. As a result of his extensive knowledge, he has managed many large document productions involving the review of voluminous amounts of documents, resolving production problems, analyzing an opposing partys production, and dealing with the various legal issues that arise during most large scale document productions. Mr. Phillips also maintains an active appellate practice, having authored numerous successful appellate briefs before state supreme and appellate courts. Case Studies Victory in Santa Fe: A Landmark Defense Against 911 Surcharge Claims - Telecommunications Representative Matters Represented a leading carpet manufacturer in a lawsuit involving claims of patent infringement and unfair competition. Was a member of the trial team that obtained one of the largest eminent domain verdicts in Tennessee in a case involving the condemnation of downtown Nashville property. Coordinated e-discovery for large multi-state litigation involving 911 fees. Represented telecommunications industry clients in zoning matters and litigation involving cell towers and pole attachment issues. Successfully defended private water companies against eminent domain efforts in numerous states. Represented nursing home industry clients in appellate courts involving negligence actions. Obtained a complete defense verdict on behalf of legacy telecommunications companies, rejecting all claims (with potential for nine-figure exposures) asserted in a qui tam case brought under New Mexicos Fraud Against Taxpayers Act following a two-week state court jury trial in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Professional Honors & Activities BV® Distinguished™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell Named a 2025 Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer Member - Chattanooga (Young Lawyers Division), Tennessee and Georgia Bar Associations President - Chattanooga Young Lawyers Division (2004) Young Lawyer of the Year, Chattanooga Bar Association (2003)