KREIS WHITE

KWHITE@WHITERHODES.COM

ADMISSIONS

Tennessee bar (1981), United States District Court, Middle District (1982), United States Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit (1982), United States District Court, Eastern District (2005), United States Supreme Court (2005), United States District Court, Western District (2008)

EDUCATION

University of Tennessee, Knoxville (B.A., 1978);Vanderbilt University School of Law (J.D., 1981) University of Tennessee College of Trial Advocacy (1987); National Institute of Trial Advocacy Master Advocacy Program (1994)

Past & present MEMBERSHIPS

Tennessee Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals: American Board of Trial Advocates; National Board of Trial Advocacy; Defense Research Institute;  Association of Defense Trial Attorneys; Tennessee Bar Association; Williamson County Bar Association; Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association;  Nashville Bar Association;  National Association of Subrogation Professionals

SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION

Civil Trial Advocate (since 1994), Civil Pretrial Practice Advocate (2012-2020); National Board of Trial Advocacy, listed as a Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator since 2006 by the Tennessee Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission.

Kreis White holds the highest rating from Martindale-Hubbell for ethics and legal ability:  AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating and has been recognized annually since 2008 as a Super Lawyer in the Mid South and Corporate Counsel editions in civil litigation and insurance coverage. He has a 10.0 AVVO rating.

TRIAL EXPERIENCE

Over 200 jury trials in more than 80 of Tennessee's 95 counties and in 28 of the state's 31 judicial districts.  Countless non-jury trials across Tennessee. 

MEDIATION EXPERIENCE

Scads at this point.  Since confidentiality is creitical, if I told you, I’d likely have to kill you.

In His Own Words

Working outside on our small farm is time well spent—almost rivaling grandparent time with three very local preschoolers.  Other hobbies include guitar and banjo picking with talented but forgiving friends, binge-reading, and “sleeves rolled up” involvement in local government as an increasingly rare left of center Tennessee small town alderman.  I married my high school sweetheart Jennifer decades ago.  She's so patient (still).

A goal has been to try a jury trial in every Tennessee county before I stop.  That last pesky dozen or so of the 95 sure are elusive. Do two Johnson County Circuit Court bench trials equal to one jury trial? If not, it’s just not fair…

As gray hair conquers, my work life is devoted to civil mediation. I really enjoy trying to help parties work past real and emotional barriers to settle disputes. Mediating after an extensive litigation practice is like being the tradesman who “retires” to a home improvement store: you get to plan out other peoples’ projects but don’t have to deal with the hot crawlspaces or attics.

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 courthouses: Those with indoor plumbing and no metal detectors.

Favorite keepsake:  early 70’s Martin D-18 guitar, bought by teenaged Kreis with high school mowing money.  Honorable mention:  a shiny blue New Holland tractor.