Rocky Hill Mediation Center

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BILLY J. STOKES, “of Counsel” to the firm Stokes, Williams, Sharp, Cope, & Mann, PC, practices in the areas of personal injury, transportation industry law, tort claims, product liability, employment issues, environmental, and governmental relations/administrative law. He represents individuals, insurance companies, self-insureds, employers, manufacturers, trucking companies, and service providers. Mr. Stokes actively participates in transportation industry seminars. Mr. Stokes has tried both jury and non-jury cases throughout the region. He is a Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed Mediator Civil/Family.

In 2015, Mr. Stokes combined his law practice with Rocky Hill Mediation Center, 1316 Morrell Road, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919 to provide adequate space to conduct mediations as well as carry on his practice.

Mr. Stokes is a former member of Governor Don Sundquist’s cabinet, initially appointed Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Employment Security, later promoted to the Governor’s Senior Staff as Special Assistant to the Governor. Mr. Stokes played a key role in shaping the Workers’ Compensation Reform Act of 1996. He coordinated the state’s involvement in the 1996 Olympic Games, overseeing the canoe/kayak events on the Ocoee River, the only “Gold Medal” venue outside the State of Georgia. Mr. Stokes was involved in environmental issues as well, including the Duck River Project, establishing beneficial end uses for discarded tires, and other projects. He later served as the Governor’s appointee to the Juvenile Justice Reform Commission, charged with rewriting the juvenile code. Mr. Stokes is co-author of Unemployment Compensation, Survey and Update, Labor Law Journal, 47 (9) at 602-612, Sept. 1996, Bad Faith: General Application in the Insurer-Insured Relationship, Lorman Education Services, 2007; and various letters and guest columns published in magazines and newspapers.

Following graduation from the University of Tennessee Law School in 1979, Mr. Stokes served as a Captain The Judge Advocate General Corps, U.S. Army, (1979-1982). He is a 1975 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. In 1989, he was a founding partner in the Knoxville firm of Stokes & Fansler.

Mr. Stokes is a member of the American, Tennessee, and Knoxville Bar Associations. He is a member of the Hamilton Burnett Inn of the American Inns of Court. Mr. Stokes served as the Mayor’s appointee to the City of Knoxville Civil Service Merit System Board for ten years and served on a City-County Government Efficiency Committee appointed by the Knox County Mayor. In 2007, Mr. Stokes was appointed to the Board of the Knoxville/Knox County Public Building Authority and was elected Chairman of that body in 2010. Mr. Stokes formerly served on the Board of the Knoxville-Knox County Community Services Agency, appointed by Governor Phil Bredesen. Mr. Stokes serves on the Board of the Museum of Appalachia and Golden Gloves Charities, Inc. He has volunteered as an attorney for indigent clients through the KBA Pro Bono project. Mr. Stokes has long been active in the Knoxville community and has served on several other non-profit boards. Mr. Stokes and his wife, Bay, a retired educator, live in the Rocky Hill area. They enjoy spending time with two grown daughters, four grandchildren and their coonhound, Emmy Lou. Both are fans of the University of Tennessee Volunteers and the Lady Vols.

View Mr. Stokes’ resume by clicking this link.