Our History - Stokes, Rutherford, Williams, Sharp and Davies PC

Our History.

Prior to 1998, Billy J. Stokes, Herbert B. Williams and Robert R. Davies were partners in the Knoxville, Tn. firm of Stokes & Fansler. In that year, Daryl R. Fansler was elected Chancellor, Knox County Chancery Court. Following Mr. Fansler's ascent to the bench, the above lawyers, as well as Jon Cope, then an associate, continued that firm's practice as Stokes & Williams.

In 1999, Samuel W. Rutherford and Ellis A. (Sandy) Sharp, longtime shareholders in the Knoxville firm of Lewis, King, Kreig, et al, merged their practices with Stokes & Williams to form Stokes, Rutherford, Williams, Sharp and Davies (Stokes & Rutherford). Soon thereafter, Mary Jo Mann, likewise a former shareholder at Lewis, King joined the firm as special counsel. Both Ms. Mann and Mr. Cope accepted shareholder positions in our firm effective Jan. 1st, 2005. William D. Hood recently associated with Stokes & Rutherford upon his honorable discharge from active duty with the Judge Advocate General's Corps, United States Marine Corps. CPT. Hood had been a clerk and an associate here before reporting for his active duty commitment.

Stokes & Rutherford enjoy a solid reputation as effective litigators in this legal community. All of our attorneys are in good standing with all Tennessee State Courts as well as being admitted to practice in the United States District Courts and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. While the bulk of our practice is concentrated in the East Tennessee area, we continue to be involved in litigation throughout the state as well as other jurisdictions regionally and nationally.