Everett “Rett” L. Hixson III maintains a robust defense litigation practice representing insurance carriers, businesses, and individuals in a variety of matters such as employment law, professional liability, commercial litigation, directors & officers liability (D&O), general liability, and creditor’s rights.

Rett has a significant employment law and labor relations practice which includes handling discrimination claims, sexual harassment claims, retaliation, and wrongful-discharge claims, as well as matters regarding the enforcement of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements and misappropriation of trade secrets. He is skilled in representing employers in federal and state court litigation encompassing Title VII, ADEA, ADA, FLSA, FMLA, FCRA, Section 1981, TPPA, and THRA cases. To date, Rett has obtained favorable resolutions of claims in approximately 10 states.

He also counseled clients with the myriad of issues surrounding layoffs, reductions in force, WARN act notifications, terminations, disciplinary action or hiring, and he can negotiate employment contracts and severance packages. Rett also provides counseling and internal investigations as necessary, and he is adept at drafting or updating employee-related written policies, such as employee handbooks and disciplinary policies.

Rett has also assisted educational institutions with Title IX investigations and represents educational institutions in the defense of Title IX claims.

In the area of litigation, Rett defends professional liability claims, including legal malpractice claims, property managers, real estate appraisers, real estate agents, title agencies, among others. Rett’s D&O experience includes defending corporate directors, officers, and insured entities in disputes involved alleged mismanagement, breaches of fiduciary duty, and related business torts.

He is experienced in handling a variety of general liability cases involving construction defects and personal injury suits, plus casualty matters, including coverage disputes and bad-faith litigation. He also has experience handling class and collective actions.

While in law school, Rett was the research editor for The University of Memphis Law Review, excelled at pretrial litigation, winning the CALI Excellence for the Future Award and served as a judicial extern for United States Magistrate Judge Charmaine G. Claxton for the Western District of Tennessee.

Chattanooga Bar Association

Defense Research Institute

Tennessee Bar Association

Society for Human Resources Management, Member of National and Southeast Tennessee Chapters

Professional Liability Underwriting Society

Professional Liability Defense Federation

American Inns of Court, Justices Ray L. Brock and Robert E. Cooper Chapter - Barrister

"Donovan v. Hastings Tennessee Supreme Court Clarifies Tennessee Attorney's Fees Award," Tennessee Bar Journal, July 2023

“All Losers Should Pay in Tennessee: How to Amend T.C.A. Section 20-12-119 to Deter Meritless Claims,” 44 U. MEM. L. REV. 183 (2013)

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The McCallie School, Five Year, Ten Year, and Fifteen Year Reunion Committee

The McCallie School, Alumni Association Member 

Salvation Army, Echelon Board

University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Alumni Committee

Hamilton County Juvenile Court, youth court volunteer

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