Dan received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Tennessee in 1977 as a member of the Order of the Coif (an honorary society of law graduates) and the Tennessee Law Review. Dan received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kentucky in 1973, with a major in journalism. He spent the next two years as a newspaper reporter for the Middlesboro (Ky.) Daily News. Additionally, Dan was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1978, and was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1996.
Dan Douglas Rhea practiced law as an associate and partner of Arnett, Draper & Hagood for 39 years. Over those years, he has successfully tried many personal injury, property damage, employment, contract, real estate, and bankruptcy lawsuits –on both sides of the courtroom. He has also successfully handled many appeals of the same kinds of cases, again on both sides of the courtroom. He is now semi-retired, staying on as “of counsel” to Arnett, Baker, Draper & Hagood to offer a hand when needed. Dan also continues to follow the United States Supreme Court, and particularly that Court’s decisions in the field of Constitutional Law.
Dan follows four steps in every case he is asked to handle. First, he meticulously ascertains the facts of the case that can actually be shown by available and admissible evidence. Second, he identifies the rules of law applicable to those facts. Third, he advises the client and ascertains whether there is any avenue for resolving the case short of trial or appeal. And lastly, he actively prepares and proceeds to trial or appeal at the client’s direction.
Dan has also handled many transactional matters not requiring litigation in court, including wills and estates, corporations, arbitrations, bankruptcies, and medical staffing matters. His goal in such matters is to achieve the best product for his clients without resorting to expensive litigation, particularly when the clients have better things to do with their time and resources.
Dan’s activities outside of the office consist of church, family, American History, and music.
