Author: willowraineykizer

Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell, PLC and the Law Offices of John Day, P.C. have collaborated to create a CLE program for all claims professionals and lawyers (both plaintiff and defense) involved in Tennessee health care liability cases. The program will bring you up to date on the important issues facing lawyers and their clients in […]

Background In 2017, the EEOC proposed guidance updates for workplace harassment. These proposed guidelines were never finalized. Since 2017, the  workplace has seen a lot of changes. And the 2023 proposed updates are written to address changes such as the #MeToo movement or virtual harassment, and the Supreme Court of the United States’ opinion in […]

Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell, PLC is proud to announce that eight lawyers have been recognized in 2023 MID-SOUTH SUPER LAWYERS®! Russell Reviere (Civil Litigation: Defense), Will Bell (Business/Corporate), Marty Phillips (Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense), Brad Box (Insurance Coverage), Amanda Waddell (Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense), John Alexander (Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense), Matthew Courtner (Employment & Labor), and Hugh Francis (Professional Liability: Defense). Reviere and Phillips ranked top of the list […]

Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell, PLC is pleased to announce that Daniel E. King (Jackson), Bailey (Box) Walden (Memphis), and Jordan Gibson (Nashville) have been named as Members of the Firm. Daniel’s practice focuses on tort and insurance defense. Daniel represents insurers, insureds, and self-insured entities in litigation arising from auto accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, and […]

Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell, PLC is pleased to welcome Daniel A. Gagliano to its Nashville office! A member of our Tort Litigation Practice, Daniel brings a wealth of experience to the Firm practicing 23 years focusing primarily in the area of insurance defense. Daniel is a graduate of Vanderbilt University where he received a […]

Best Law Firms® Independent Rankings Highlight Top Firms in the Industry Today and Key Trends Driving Successful Firms Toward the Future Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell, PLC is honored to be recognized as a 2024 Best Law Firm in the following 12 practice areas: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization law Commercial Litigation Employment Law – […]

Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell, PLC is pleased to welcome Daniel T. Ginn (Jackson Office), Lucas M. Rogers (Chattanooga Office), and Nakota G. Wood (Jackson Office)! Daniel, a member of our Tort Litigation Practice and Associate in Jackson, graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law where he served as an […]

On August 1, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services released the newest version of the Form I-9 for employers to use.  Employers may use the now former version of the form I-9 through October 31, 2023. However, after October 31, 2023, employers must use  the newest version of the Form I-9. The newest version […]

Over the years, non-compete agreements have become a common fixture in employment relationships. Until recently, the legal principles controlling the use of non-compete agreements was governed by state law. “For example, in Tennessee, although disfavored as a “restraint on trade,” courts generally enforce non-compete agreements so long as the terms “are reasonable under the particular […]

[A]n employer cannot evade liability by cultivating a workplace that is broadly hostile and offensive. Sharp v. S&S Activewear, LLC, 69 F.4th 974, 982 (9th Cir. 2023) Hostile Work Environment The phrase “hostile work environment” is a legal term of art denoting a particular type of legal claim – one where an employee is subjected […]

In the Estate of Nathleen Skinner, the court dealt with an interesting set of facts on disposition of human remains. Mr. and Mrs. Skinner both executed Durable Powers of Attorney for Healthcare. Each Power of Attorney authorized the attorney-in-fact to direct the disposition of the grantor’s remains pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68, Chapter […]

In the case of Reed vs. Reed, the Court had to interpret and construe a Trust Agreement to determine the extent of the power of the Trustee,  who was the Decedent’s surviving spouse. Husband died and in his Will he designated his wife as Executor. He devised the residue of his  estate to the Trustee […]

In the case of Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company vs. Nicholson and Oliver, the court dealt with the issue of the beneficiary of a life  insurance policy after Mr. Nicholson passed away. In April 2000, Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company (“Globe”) issued a $10,000.00 term life insurance policy to James Nicholson. The beneficiary […]

By James V. Thompson, Partner Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell, PLC A recent lawsuit filed by the EEOC against Otis Elevator Company alleges violations of and retaliation claims under the Americans with  Disabilities Act (“ADA”) against a former employee based on Autism Spectrum Disorder (“ASD”) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder  (“ADHD”) impairments. U.S. EEOC v. Otis Worldwide […]

In meeting with clients to discuss estate planning, I always explain that a person’s Will disposes of only a portion of the persons assets.  Jointly owned assets with another person with right of survivorship would pass by contract to the survivor. Also, there are many assets that  pass through beneficiary designation, such as IRA’s, 401k […]

The state of Tennessee remains stunned by the horrific, senseless shootings and resulting deaths of six innocent victims at Covenant School  in Nashville. An active shooter situation is a nightmare, for any organization. FBI statistics reveal that active shooter incidents are on the rise in the U.S. (The FBI defines an active shooter as one […]

The First Amendment prohibits the government from making any “law . . . abridging the freedom of speech . . . .” U.S. Const. amend I. The free-speech clause also prohibits the government from compelling speech. In other words, the government cannot tell you what to say.  Rumsfeld v. Foundation for Academic and Institutional Rights, […]

By Dale Conder, Jr. Laborers’ Int’l Union, Local 860 v. Neff, 29 F.4th 325 (6th Cir. 2022) Ohio juvenile court and its employees’ union tried negotiating a new contract. When the parties could not reach an agreement, the union sued the juvenile court. Because Ohio juvenile courts are an arm of the state, the court […]

Religious Exercise in the Workplace The First Amendment provides, in part, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech . . . .” U.S. Const. amend I. Courts refer to these three clauses as “the establishment clause,” “the free exercise clause,” […]