A periodic Q & A session with a Lewis Thomason (LT) lawyer
Lewis Thomason: When did you decide to become a lawyer?
Chris McCarty: I decided to take the LSAT in undergrad, but I was still torn between being a teacher/coach and a lawyer. I knew my score would be good for five years, so I tried teaching/coaching for a couple of years before heading to law school.
Lewis Thomason: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Chris McCarty: I have won jury trials, and argued cases successfully on appeal. But the highlight is really where I work. We have a great atmosphere and I consider my co-workers to be my friends. It’s hard to beat enjoying the place you work.
Lewis Thomason: What do you enjoy most about being a lawyer?
Chris McCarty: Solving problems. Clients often call me stressed out and at their wits end. I love bringing calm to the storm and helping them work through difficult situations.
Lewis Thomason: You’re stranded on a desert island – what music are you listening to?
Chris McCarty: Like my buddy David Changas, I am not much of a music guy. I would probably want access to my favorite podcasts (This American Life, Bill Simmons, etc.).
Lewis Thomason: What book is on your bedside table (or on your e-reader)?
Chris McCarty: I just finished Live by Night by Dennis Lehane. I like his stuff a lot, as well as Michael Connelly and Elmore Leonard.
Lewis Thomason: Where is the best place you have ever visited?
Chris McCarty: St. John during my honeymoon.
Lewis Thomason: If you could change careers, what would you choose?
Chris McCarty: I liked teaching a lot, but I loved coaching. I miss it all the time. No matter the sport, coaches can truly affect positive change on kids’ lives.
Lewis Thomason: What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
Chris McCarty: My family. I have a wonderful wife, and three beautiful/crazy kids.
Lewis Thomason: What shows are on your DVR?
Chris McCarty: Sherlock. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, Stranger Things.
Lewis Thomason: If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce?
Chris McCarty: Mandatory civility in political discourse/debate. I argue for a living, yet it is rare for me to ever raise my voice or become angry with an opposing attorney. Then I watch our leaders often act like toddlers when debating issues that truly affect our country’s present and future.
Chris W. McCarty, a shareholder in our Knoxville office, practices in the areas of employment law, education law and civil litigation. Mr. McCarty handles matters before state and federal courts throughout Tennessee, and has argued before the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Mr. McCarty also presents on employment and education law topics. His articles on those topics have been seen in numerous publications, including HR Magazine, the Tennessee Bar Journal and the Knoxville Business Journal. Mr. McCarty is approved as a member of the American Arbitration Association’s (AAA) Panel of Employment Arbitrators.