|
|
|
White & Rhodes lawyers have deep roots in Tennessee, having grown up here, attending colleges and law schools throughout the state, and having practiced here for years. All Tennessee counties are familiar territory for these lawyers.
FORMAL BIOGRAPHIES
White & Rhodes attorneys can be no better in litigation than the co-workers who share the responsibilities for defense and subrogation files. Each individual at White & Rhodes is just that—individual (some more than others). The following is an “in their own words” introduction to each of us, arranged by office:
NASHVILLE
Kreis White: I married my high school sweetheart Jennifer decades ago. She's still very patient. Between us, we worked four jobs while in school. Our sons, Matthew and Joshua and daughter, Rachel remind us how to belly laugh, pout and even to occasionally to stand strong for principles and ideals worth defending. Perhaps as a way to combat empty nest syndrome, we have a couple of horses, Pepper and Ragweed.
If I couldn't litigate, I don't know what I would (or could) do. A semi-serious goal is to try a jury trial in every Tennessee county before I die or retire. I've got about 80 or so of the 95 counties-- the courthouse pictures that appear at random throughout this web site are part of my jurisprudential safari. I've recently begun serving as a civil mediatior and enjoy using different skill sets in attempting to assist parties reach what often becomes begrudging settlement.
Even if I could play a guitar like Eric Clapton (which I surely do not), I'd still show up for work each day. Other than guitar picking, my hobbies include farming, Titans football, light carpentry, and reading books by the score. Jennifer is dragging me into amateur astronomy, dubbed "astro-nerd" outings by the kids..
Favorite book: Animal Farm, by George Orwell ("Some animals are more equal than others...")
Favorite movie: Animal House ("Seven years of college down the drain...")
Favorite possession: Martin D-18 acuoustic guitar, bought as a pimply kid the early 70's (or maybe our tractor)
Favorite courthouses: Those with indoor plumbing and no metal detectors.
Maralyn Meador: When we opened the Nashville office in 1995, it looked like a bookie's operation; sometimes it still does. I’ll never forget the boxes and boxes of files and the folding tables we were working on (since we didn’t have any desks). Growing from two to twenty-five co-workers has been something of an adjustment. I'm still adjusting after all this time.
At the end of the day, I head to my farm in Dickson County where I enjoy spending time with my husband over 20 years and two dogs and many farm critters. We like to go flying, hunt, fish, garden and do the daily farm chores that come with raising cattle, chickens and hogs. Since I love to cook, to me going out for dinner is having supper on the back porch!
Scott Rhodes: When I am not driving the far reaches of Interstates 24 and 75, memorizing all the exit numbers between Nashville and Sweetwater, I am the quiet, reserved, scholarly attorney of the WSRB Nashville asylum, er….office. I like reading about and studying all areas of the law, not just insurance defense topics. I particularly like reading the criminal appellate opinions and the constitutional and evidence issues. If I was not a civil trial lawyer, I would like to be a prosecutor. If I could not practice law, I would like to teach it.
My other part-time scholastic pursuit is history, especially southern history. I went through an honors program at Vanderbilt University during my senior year. The program culminated with a thesis about the Tennessee Whig Party. Someday I would like to go back and polish that up and perhaps turn it into a book and write about other historical topics.
My activities after work hours include reading, crossword puzzles, running, playing golf and softball and practicing on my trumpet and soprano bugle. The summer months are particularly busy now that I am involved with Nashville’s very first drum and bugle corps. Music City Legend was incorporated in 2004 as a 501(c)(3) corporation. I serve as one of the two founders and the Assistant Executive Director. Legend has given me the opportunity to pursue an activity I have been enthralled by since my high school days.
I am very competitive by nature, despite watching almost 20 years of hapless Vanderbilt football. Whether it’s drum corps, fantasy football or a trial, I will work as hard as necessary to win (within the rules). If I lose, I’ll just try harder the next time. This work ethic has served my clients and myself well since I began life as a trial lawyer.
Laurie Precourt: During my prior 14 year career with a large auto finance company, I was "transplanted" from central NY to middle TN in 1995 (what a culture shock!). In 2001, I was asked to move again, but instead I found my way to WSRB as a
Subrogation Specialist. I've been married for over 20 years (what a challenge, but nothing in life is ever easy for me). I am a proud mother of two beautiful teenage girls (another challenge). Felicia is a "retired" rhythmic gymnast, after eight years of traveling 40 miles to train, 4-5 days per week and attending nationwide competitions. She is a junior and dances for her high school dance team, and is also now employed part time by the gym she trained at, as well as being a certified USA Gymnastics judge. Meagan is my social butterfly (very active with her friends), proudly takes after Mom by "kicking grass" on the soccer field. She's played since age four and currently plays for her middle school team in the fall and on a travel team the rest of the year. Since my oldest now has her drivers license (so that we now discuss car accident negligence ad nauseam due to my job!), and my hubby works out of town (when he's not injured), I finally have time for myself to: working out at Curves, watching reality TV (American Idol & So You Think You Can Dance), cleaning my home that has been neglected for the past eight years, and making the long commute to work every day to be with my wonderful co-workers! I am the quiet, efficient one in the office. My job is to open new files and to double check the accuracy of the deposits going to the bank. My work ethic is rewarded by all new problem files finding their way to my desk. I may need to rethink my workplace strategy.
Mary Gosnell: Happily married and with more common sense than most of my coworkers, I keep my head down and try to avoid eye contact with the crazy people around here. Unfortunately, it is much harder to avoid the many, many subro calls we receive daily. It's remarkable how many people do not remember being in an automobile accident until you show them the police report to prove it. I worry occasionally that I am the only sane person in the world, but then I go home to my husband, and he reassures me that I'm not at all sane. That might be why they assigned me to handle all of the incoming mail and faxes in subrogation.
My cats are all the children I have. I have too much fun with my husband to want to slow down for children any time soon. Some of our hobbies include motorcycling, watching boxing and football, and recently going to NASCAR races. Front row at Talladega was AWESOME! Last but not least, I have a lifelong addiction to Buffalo "Wild" Wings washed down with a cold beer.
KNOXVILLE
Candis Daniel: A loyal Titans fan married to a Colts maniac – might this be justifiable homicide? I’ll check with the criminal lawyer down the street. I do admit, however, that I cheer for Manning – Peyton that is -- as long as he isn’t throwing against the Titans. Between the Colts fan and I, we have five (yes, I said five) beautiful daughters -– two out of college, well, actually, one just enrolled for her master’s program so she doesn’t count anymore, one graduating from college this year and two still to go. I won’t even mention the weddings still to come. The dog’s a girl too, by the way, so when the hormones in the house reach a certain level, my husband announces that he’s going to the driving range. The problem for him, however, is that I’ve learned to play golf, and I usually beat him to the punch in saying “I’m heading to the driving range.” I absolutely love to travel and am committed to going on at least one foreign mission trip every year. I have been blessed to have traveled to Thailand, Spain, Turkey, China, Mexico and the Turks & Caicos, as well as Hawaii and many cities in the United States. We here in Knoxville, the newest office, wish to thank Kreis, Gary and Scott for their contribution to this office. What would we have done without all of those hand-me-downs?
|
|
