Joe Clark is a shareholder with Lewis Thomason and a healthcare defense attorney whose practice focuses on healthcare liability defense, medical malpractice litigation, professional liability, insurance law, and licensing matters before the Tennessee Department of Health. He represents physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and other healthcare providers in complex litigation, licensing matters, and administrative proceedings.

For three decades, Joe has defended healthcare professionals facing medical malpractice claims, licensing investigations, and professional discipline matters. He works proactively to resolve potential claims before litigation, secures dismissals when providers are improperly named in lawsuits, and has successfully tried numerous cases to verdict. He also regularly represents healthcare professionals before the Tennessee Department of Health, helping clients navigate licensing issues.

Joe is widely recognized for his leadership in healthcare and insurance litigation. He was named Best Lawyers® 2026 Insurance Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Memphis and Best Lawyers® Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants “Lawyer of the Year” in Memphis in both 2021 and 2026. He is consistently listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Medical Malpractice Law, Insurance Law, and Health Care Law, holds the highest Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® rating, and is a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. He has also been repeatedly recognized among the Top 100 Tennessee Super Lawyers and the Top 50 Memphis Area Super Lawyers.

Clients turn to Joe for experienced counsel in high-exposure healthcare litigation, medical malpractice defense, professional licensing issues, and insurance-related disputes. His combination of trial experience and industry recognition makes him a trusted advocate for healthcare professionals throughout Tennessee.

 AFFILIATIONS

• Kentucky Bar Association
• Tennessee Bar Association
• Memphis Bar Association
• International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
• Defense Research Institute (DRI)
• Member, Trial Law Institute
• Member, Diversity Law Institute
• Barrister, Order of Juris
• Advocate, Order of Certus

PROFESSIONAL HONORS AND ACTIVITIES

• Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
• Named Best Lawyers® 2026 Insurance Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Memphis
• Named Best Lawyers® 2021 and 2026 Medical Malpractice Law/Defendants “Lawyer of the Year” in Memphis
• Holds the highest rating, AV-Preeminent, from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
• Named to The Best Lawyers in America®, Medical Malpractice – Defendants; Insurance Law; Health Care Law
• Named to Mid-South Super Lawyers, Top 100 Tennessee Attorneys
• Named on list of Mid-South Super Lawyers for medical malpractice law
• Named as a Tennessee Top 100 Super Lawyer, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025
• Named one of the Top 50 Memphis Area Super Lawyers, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025
• Member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC). Membership in the IADC is by invitation only and peer review
• Elected a Memphis Bar Foundation Fellow
• Received the Memphis Bar Association’s President’s Award in 2007
• Tennessee Bar Association Litigation Section Executive Council, 2001-2002
• Served as chair of the Memphis Bar Association’s Litigation Section in 2007 and 2008
• Associate member of the Leo Bearman Sr. American Inns of Court from 1999 to 2001

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Mr. Clark has been involved with Habitat for Humanity, the Memphis Area Legal Services Campaign for Equal Justice, the Memphis Bar Association Phone-a-Thon and the Memphis Bar Association’s Saturday Pro Bono Clinic.

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