(Chattanooga, TN/June 21, 2012) Russell W. Gray has been named managing shareholder for the Chattanooga office of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC. Mr. Gray assumes the role held for seven years by Joe A. Conner, who will continue his commercial litigation practice with the Firm.
"We're exceptionally proud of the contributions Joe has made both to the Firm and to the Chattanooga-area business community," said Mr. Gray. "He was a strategic leader during a pivotal time, and has positioned Baker Donelson and our city for further success. My goal is to build on Joe's outstanding accomplishments, and continue to move our Firm and our city forward."
While serving as office managing shareholder, Mr. Gray will maintain his practice in litigation and labor and employment issues. He represents local, regional and national clients on a full range of labor and employment matters, including wage and hour, drug testing, policy manuals, covenants not to compete, various employment forms, compliance advice and employment litigation. Mr. Gray has been recognized as a leading labor and employment attorney by The Best Lawyers in America® and Mid-South Super Lawyers, and holds an AV® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible recognition for legal ability and ethical standards. He graduated summa cum laude in 1993 from the American University Washington College of Law, where he served as managing editor of the law review.
Mr. Gray previously served as president of the Chattanooga Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division, and was named Baker Donelson's Chattanooga Pro Bono Attorney of the Year in 2008 in recognition of his commitment to pro bono service. He served as a judicial law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge R. Allan Edgar from 1993 to 1995 and teaches employment law at the University of Tennessee as an adjunct professor.