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In Civil Litigation, General, Personal Injury

The 30th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© Recognizes Patterson Bray Attorneys

Patterson Bray is pleased to announce that attorneys Chris Patterson, Lindsay Jones, Larry Bray, Austin Rainey, and Will Patterson were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 30th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. This is the third consecutive year that all of these attorneys have been recognized.

Chris Patterson was recognized for his high caliber of work in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation & Municipal Law.

 

 

 

Lindsay Jones was recognized for her high caliber of work in the practice areas of Trusts and Estates & Litigation – Trusts and Estates.

 

 

 

Larry Bray was recognized for his high caliber of work in the practice area of Trusts and Estates.

 

 

 

AUSTIN T. RAINEYAustin Rainey was recognized for his high caliber of work in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation & Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.

 

 

 

Will Patterson was recognized for his high caliber of work in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation & Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants.

 

 

 … Read the rest

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August 18, 2023
In General

Wiseman Bray becomes Patterson Bray

Patterson Bray Logo

New Name, Continued Excellence on Your Behalf

The former law offices of Wiseman Bray Attorneys are proud to announce a new name, Patterson Bray PLLC, effective January 12, 2022. This name does not reflect a change in our management or services, rather it serves as recognition of the continuity of management structure and strategic problem solving that we’ve used to service our clients for many years.

In 2019, then partner Lang Wiseman took a position with the Governor’s office in Nashville, officially severing ties with the firm. While the Wiseman name remained on the masthead, Chris Patterson became the managing partner, leading the firm alongside Lindsay Jones and Larry Bray. This management structure has successfully served our many clients in Wealth and Probate, Personal Injury, Business and Commercial, Family Law, and many other practice areas.

As we move into year three of this structure, we are formalizing the change while also committing to our promise of strategic insight and representation, personal service and attention, and aggressive advocacy on behalf of our clients. We look forward to serving you and your … Read the rest

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January 12, 2022
In Civil Litigation, General, Personal Injury

The 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© Recognizes Patterson Bray Attorneys

Patterson Bray AttorneysPatterson Bray is pleased to announce that attorneys Austin Rainey and Will Patterson were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. This is the second consecutive year that Austin Rainey and Will Patterson were recognized by Best Lawyers.

 

AUSTIN T. RAINEYAustin Rainey was recognized for his high caliber of work in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.

 

 

 

Will Patterson was recognized for his high caliber of work in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation & Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants.

 

 

 

For more than three decades, Best Lawyers has been regarded – by both lawyers and the public – as the most credible measure of legal integrity and distinction in the United States. As such, Lindsay and Will’s recognition by Best Lawyers symbolizes excellence in practice.

Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based on a rigorous peer-review survey comprising more than 9.4 million confidential evaluations by top attorneys. Best Lawyers’ founding principle remains unchanged and forms the basis of their … Read the rest

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August 24, 2021
In General, Personal Injury

Best Lawyers: The Injury & Malpractice Issue 2021® Recognizes Attorney Austin Rainey

AUSTIN T. RAINEY

Patterson Bray is pleased to announce that attorney Austin Rainey was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers: The Injury & Malpractice Issue 2021®.

Best Lawyers®, the oldest and most respected guide to the legal profession, released the inaugural edition of The Injury and Malpractice Issue.

Using information excerpted from the 2021 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America© and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, this digital-only publication features more than 7,000 lawyers, including more than 300 “Lawyer of the Year” honorees and 500 “Ones to Watch” award recipients, recognized for their top legal talent in injury and malpractice-related practice areas. Practice areas included in The Injury and Malpractice Issue are:

  • Consumer Protection Law
  • Legal Malpractice Law
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions
  • Medical Malpractice Law
  • Personal Injury Litigation
  • Product Liability Litigation
  • Professional Malpractice Law

In addition to the list of recognized lawyers, the publication includes injury and malpractice-focused editorial content. Featured articles highlight the danger of faulty product design, the risk of electronic medical records being altered, the hazards of neglected infrastructure, … Read the rest

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July 9, 2021
In General

Chris Patterson Appointed to the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees

shooting victim attorney

Patterson Bray is pleased to announce that Chris Patterson has been appointed by Gov. Bill Lee to the board of trustees of the University of Tennessee to a term that expires on June 30, 2026.

Chris Patterson is the managing partner of Patterson Bray, where he has worked for sixteen years; with a practice focused on business litigation and municipal law, he represents numerous cities and governmental entities across West Tennessee. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Tennessee and received his legal degree from the University of Memphis.

On April 5, 2021, after Mr. Patterson had confirmation hearings in House and Senate committees, the Tennessee House of Representatives and the Tennessee Senate unanimously approved his appointment to the board. For more information on the General Assembly’s approval of Mr. Patterson’s appointment, click here. For more information about the Board of Trustees, click here.… Read the rest

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April 27, 2021
In Civil Litigation, Estate Planning, General

The 27th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© Recognizes Attorneys Lindsay Jones and Will Patterson

Patterson Bray is pleased to announce that attorneys Lindsay Jones and Will Patterson were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 27th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.

probate lawyer in memphisLindsay Jones was recognized for her high caliber of work in the practice areas of Trusts and Estates and Litigation- Trusts and Estates.

 

 

Will Patterson was recognized for his high caliber of work in the practice area of Commercial Litigation.

 

 

For more than three decades, Best Lawyers has been regarded – by both lawyers and the public – as the most credible measure of legal integrity and distinction in the United States. As such, Lindsay and Will’s recognition by Best Lawyers symbolizes excellence in practice.

Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based on a rigorous peer-review survey comprising more than 9.4 million confidential evaluations by top attorneys. Best Lawyers’ founding principle remains unchanged and forms the basis of their methodology: The best lawyers know who the best lawyers are, and attorneys do not pay to participate or be recognized. Best Lawyers lists are … Read the rest

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January 20, 2021
In General, Personal Injury

The 27th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© Recognizes Attorneys Chris Patterson and Austin Rainey

Patterson Bray is pleased to announce that attorneys Chris Patterson and Austin Rainey were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 27th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.

shooting victim attorneyChris Patterson was recognized for his high caliber of work in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Municipal Law.

 

 

AUSTIN T. RAINEYAustin Rainey was recognized for his high caliber of work in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.

 

 

For more than three decades, Best Lawyers has been regarded – by both lawyers and the public – as the most credible measure of legal integrity and distinction in the United States. As such, Chris and Austin’s recognition by Best Lawyers symbolizes excellence in practice.

Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based on a rigorous peer-review survey comprising more than 9.4 million confidential evaluations by top attorneys. Best Lawyers’ founding principle remains unchanged and forms the basis of their methodology: The best lawyers know who the best lawyers are, and attorneys do not pay to participate or be recognized. Best Lawyers… Read the rest

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October 26, 2020
In General

Free money! (Seriously, it’s true!)

Free money! (Seriously, it’s true!)

Literally millions of dollars in unclaimed money gets deposited with the State each year.  And some it may have your name on it:

  • an old utility deposit you forgot about
  • a lease deposit that was never refunded
  • a mileage check from an old job that never got cut

This is referred to as “unclaimed property,” and by law the holder of the funds property must turn it over the State along with information about the name last know address of the owner.  They CANNOT keep the property, but turning it over to the State allows them to avoid the hassle of having to track you down.

The good news:  the state has a website where you can do a simple name search and then claim your property at no cost to you.  Try it out — enter your name, your family members’ names, friends, etc.  We’ve had plenty of friends and clients who’ve found a few hundred dollars here and there.  Give it a shot and then use the comment section to let us … Read the rest

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October 1, 2018
In Estate Planning, General

No estate plan: a lesson from the extraordinary life of Aretha Franklin

No estate plan: a lesson from the extraordinary life of Aretha Franklin

It’s been widely reported that Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul, died without any sort of Estate Plan leaving many people wondering: “Why would someone so successful not have a financial plan in place?”  We should all pause and THINK about what we’re trying to do with our assets after death.

Unfortunately, it is fairly common for people to die without even the simplest form of an Estate Plan.  Even tremendously successful individuals like Prince and Aretha Franklin have made this mistake.  While Prince and Aretha Franklin certainly have more complex financial affairs than most of us, Estate Plans are not just for rich people.  In fact, a basic plan can be relatively inexpensive, especially when you consider the potential legal fees and costs which arise when there is no plan at all.

WHY HAVE A WILL OR ESTATE PLAN?

Whether we are meeting with potential clients or giving estate planning seminars, we always stress the importance of having an estate plan in place no matter how simple … Read the rest

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August 31, 2018
In Business Litigation, General

Non-compete agreements in Tennessee

Non-compete agreements in Tennessee

Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Tennessee?

It depends. Generally speaking, non-compete agreements, also called ‘covenants not to compete’, are disfavored in Tennessee. See Hasty v. Rent-A-Driver, Inc., 671 S.W.2d 471 (Tenn. 1984). Courts interpret these agreements strictly in favor of the employee, in part because the agreement is a restraint on trade. Having said that, courts will uphold non-compete agreements if there is a legitimate business interest to be protected and the agreement sets reasonable time and territorial limitations. Id.

What makes a non-compete agreement reasonable?

When deciding whether a non-compete agreement is reasonable, Tennessee courts will consider the following relevant factors:

1. the consideration supporting the agreement;
2. the threatened danger to the employer in the absence of the agreement;
3. the economic hardship imposed on the employee by the agreement; and,
4. whether the agreement is against the public interest.

Additionally, the time and territorial limitations must be no greater than necessary to protect the employer’s legitimate business interest. In other words, a company cannot expect a court to uphold a non-compete … Read the rest

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August 6, 2018