Our Attorneys and Staff
We take pride in the talent of our people, the depth of their experience, and the teamwork employed in serving our client's litigation needs.
Meet our attorneys |
Meet our staff |
James L. Gass
Member
Call: (865) 453-2866
Email
James L. Gass has spent over 25 years in a courtroom, ten of those years serving as an Assistant District Attorney (ADA) with the State of Tennessee. During his years as a prosecutor, he honed his professional litigation skills as he tried criminal cases before juries and plea bargained with the defense. His extensive trial and prosecutorial experience makes him a skilled and perceptive attorney.
He now represents various governmental entities, a number of businesses, and many individual clients in litigation. Through his private practice, he serves as the City Attorney for Pigeon Forge, the Town Attorney for the Towns of Dandridge and Pittman Center, as well as Counsel for Webb Creek Utility District. In addition, Jim is a leader in his profession, and currently serves as the President of the Tennessee Municipal Lawyers Association.
Jim also spends time serving his community. He is an active member of his church and holds various positions of leadership throughout the community. He served as the Chairman of the Administrative Council of the First United Methodist Church of Dandridge from 2002-2008. Jim is currently a member of the St. Mary's Jefferson Memorial Hospital Foundation Board. In 2005 and 2006, he also served as President of the Pigeon Forge Rotary Club, where he organized and participated in various community initiatives and events.
Credentials
- Admitted to bar: Tennessee, 1983
- Degree: Cumberland School of Law of Samford University, J.D., 1983
- Degree: Samford University, B.S., 1980
- Member: Tennessee Bar Association
- Member: Sevier County Bar Association
- Member: International Municipal Lawyers Association
- Member: Federalism Committee of the International Municipal Lawyers Association 2006 to present
- Member: Tennessee Municipal Attorneys Association
- President: Tennessee Municipal Attorneys Association (2008 - present)
Biography
- Assistant District Attorney (ADA) General: State of Tennessee, 1988-1998
- Chair: Jefferson County Republican Party, 2005-2007
- Member: St. Mary's Jefferson Memorial Hospital Foundation Board 2006 to present
- Member: Pigeon Forge Rotary Club 1999 to present
- President: Pigeon Forge Rotary Club, 2005-2006
- Dandridge City Attorney: 2006 to present
- Pigeon Forge City Attorney: 1998 to present
- Town Attorney: Pittman Center, 1998 to present
Practice Areas
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W. Henry Ogle
Biography: (1921-1980)
W. Henry Ogle began practicing law in Sevierville, Tennessee in 1952 and continued in private practice until his death in 1980. He was a well respected civil and criminal law litigator, who was known as a fierce advocate for his clients. In fact, Mr. Ogle successfully litigated one of the first products liability cases in the State. He represented both individuals and business entities, including the Bank of Sevierville. During Mr. Ogle’s legal career, he also served as the Juvenile Court Judge for Sevier County.
Mr. Ogle was respected not only for his top notch legal abilities, but also because he provided such excellent legal services while battling the effects of cerebral palsy, which afflicted him from birth. Mr. Ogle never let his disability get in the way of meeting the challenges of practicing law nor meeting the needs of his clients, but instead used his physical challenges as a tool to motivate him to excel. In fact, he even earned his legal degree from the John R. Neal School of Law by taking classes at night, while working full time.
Prior to commencing his legal career, Mr. Ogle served as the County Court Clerk for Sevier County, Tennessee, and at the time of his election in 1946, was the youngest County Court Clerk in the State. Additionally he taught school in Sevier and Knox Counties.
Cynthia Richardson Wyrick
Member
Call: (865) 453-2866
Email
Cynthia Richardson Wyrick began her career as a judicial clerk for Judge Houston M. Goddard of the Tennessee Court of Appeals from 1993 to 1994 and Judge Gary R. Wade of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals from 1994 to 1996. During her clerkships, these judges served as her mentors and this experience allowed Cindy to develop a unique understanding of the judicial system.
She is currently an experienced trial advocate and a Rule 31 listed mediator for civil and family law matters. In recognition of her leadership ability, Cindy received the President's Award from the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) in 2006 and the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section Small Firm Practitioner of Merit Award from the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section of the American Bar Association (ABA) for the 2004-2005 bar year.
Cindy also makes time to serve her community. She provides pro bono legal services and serves in a number of leadership roles. Cindy has previously taught Sunday School, and continues to be actively involved in church activities. She is a member of the current class of Leadership Sevier. Cindy is also currently serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Justice Center.
Credentials
- Admitted to Bar: Tennessee, 1994
- Degree: University of Tennessee at Knoxville, J.D., 1994
- Degree: University of Tennessee at Knoxville, B.A., 1990
- Member: Sevier County Bar Association
- Member: Tennessee Bar Association
- Board of Governors: 2003-2005 and 2008 to present
- Chair: Programs Committee: 2008-present
- Chair: General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section, 2006-2008
- Chair: Public Education Committee, 2005-2006
- President: Young Lawyers Division, 2004-2005
- Member: Long Range Planning Committee, 2007 to present
- Member: 2006 Leadership Law Class
- Recipient: President's Award, 2006
- Member: American Bar Association
- Chair: Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, "TIPS", Law in Public Service Committee, 2006-2007
- Member: TIPS Long Range Planning Committee, 2007 to present
- Fellow: TIPS NOW, 2003-2005
- Member: House of Delegates, 1993-1994 and 2004-2006
- Recipient: General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section Small Firm Practitioner of Merit Award, 2004-2005
- Member: American Association for Justice
- Fellow: Tennessee Bar Foundation
- Fellow: Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division
- Fellow: American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division
Biography
- Judicial Clerk: Tennessee Court of Appeals and Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, 1993-1996
- Member: IOLTA Grant Review Committee, 2001-2003
- Executive Committee: University of Tennessee Library Friends
- Chair: 2003-2005
- Member, 1994-1997 and 2000-2006
- Member Emeritus, 2005 to present
- Lifetime Member: National Registry of Who's Who
- Senior Counsel: American College of Barristers
- Civil and Family Law Mediator: Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed
- Tennessee Justice Center Board of Directors
- Member: 2006-present
- Vice Chair: 2008-present
- Member: 2009 Leadership Sevier Class
Practice Areas
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Deborah N. Campbell
Office Manager
Call: (865) 453-2866
Email
Deborah N. Campbell is a Sevier County native. She joined the firm in 1984 and has served in numerous positions since that time. Debbie began her career as an administrative assistant to one of the firm’s partners, with her primary responsibility being litigation support. While Debbie continues to perform a number of litigation support duties as needed, her primary role is now that of office manager. In her role as office manager, Debbie is responsible for the day to day business operations of the firm. In addition, she works with clients, vendors, and others to provide all of the necessary tools to keep the firm operating efficiently and ensures that the latest technology is available to the attorneys and support staff.
Debbie’s many years of experience with the firm allow her to serve as the firm’s institutional memory. She understands the needs of the firm’s business and municipal clients, which allows the attorneys to provide an even greater level of service. For long-standing clients of the firm, Debbie is a familiar and comforting presence, and they know that she is a skilled member of the team working to meet their legal needs.
Credentials
- Graduate of Sevier County High School.
Office manager
- Client, vendor, and supplier relationship management
- Efficiency evaluations and technological support
- Technology acquisitions for the firm
Litigation support responsibilities
- Drafting documents
- Assembling business and probate data
- Preparing files for trial
- Serving as a liaison to clients
Lisa Ray
Administrative Assistant to James L. Gass
Call: (865) 453-2866
Email
Lisa Ray is a lifetime resident of Sevier County, Tennessee. Her career began as a member of the staff of the district attorney’s office for the State of Tennessee. While there, Lisa’s duties involved working in a trial support role for the district attorney, as well as several of the assistant district attorneys on a broad range of criminal cases. The cases included violent crimes and Drug Task Force related matters, among many others.
Upon leaving the district attorney’s office in 2001, Lisa joined the staff of Ogle, Gass & Richardson, P.C. in the primary role of administrative assistant to James L. Gass. She is a valued member of the team that guides clients through the many new challenges they may face in the litigation process.
Credentials
- Graduate: Sevier County High School
- Graduate: Associate Degree in Computer Science from Walters State Community College
Litigation support
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Sara N. Hamilton
Legal Assistant to Cynthia R. Wyrick
Call: (865) 453-2866
Email
Sara is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. She relocated to Sevier County, Tennessee five years ago to be near family here, and has been with the firm for three of those years.
Sara has over 20 years of experience as a legal assistant and paralegal. Her work has been focused primarily on the areas of products liability, maritime, asbestos and silicosis, insurance defense and personal injury. Sara brings an important perspective to the firm, as she has worked in both plaintiff and defense oriented firms. Since moving to Tennessee, she has also gained extensive experience in family law matters.
Credentials
- Graduate: Archbishop Blenk High School
- Graduate: Phillips Junior College Legal Assistant Program
Litigation support responsibilities
- Liaison with clients, opposing counsel, court personnel, and other legal support staff
- Review and summary of medical records
- Preparation of deposition summaries
- Discovery and trial preparation issues, involving everything from file organization, research, and investigation through assistance at trial
