Jim Wheeler

Attorney


A Respected Lawyer

 in Jonesborough, TN

Jim Wheeler was born in Cookeville, Tennessee, and grew up in Columbia, Tennessee.

He moved to Washington County and graduated from law school in 1992. His family is happy to call this lovely region of the state their home.

Jim began his law practice with one of the largest law firms in our area, practicing as a young lawyer in the General Sessions, Circuit, and Chancery Courts and handling insurance defense litigation, real estate matters, and a general civil trial practice.

Law Service

His subsequent legal experience includes acting as counsel for the Town of Jonesborough, Tennessee, and the Washington County/Johnson City EMS, and an extensive practice in estate planning, probate, guardianships, and conservatorships. Jim completed training in mediation techniques. One of his strongest assets as a lawyer is his ability to build consensus with various parties and their counsel to reach a reasonable resolution in handling legal matters.

Education

Jim earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration in 1989 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree in 1992 from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. After graduating from law school, he was admitted to the Tennessee and Federal bars and has provided comprehensive legal support to our community ever since.

Professional Affiliation

  • The Washington County Bar Association, where he served as President in 1997
  • The Tennessee Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, where he served as Governor from 1995 - 1999, Vice-President in 1999--2000, and President in 2001-2002
  • The American Bar Association (Sections on Labor and Employment Law and Law Practice Management)
  • Tennessee Lawyers Fund for Client Protection from 2015 - present, which was based on an appointment by the Tennessee Supreme Court
  • Northeast Tennessee Young Lawyers Association, where he served as President from 1995-1996
  • Tennessee Bar Foundation IOLTA Grant Review Committee, serving from 1998 – 2000
  • First Judicial District Chancery Court Advisory Committee, where he has served as Chairman

Practice Areas

  • Personal injury and accident litigation
  • Business and personal litigation
  • Civil litigation
  • Estate planning
  • Guardianships and conservatorships
  • Probate
  • Wills and trusts
  • Labor and employment
  • Medicaid issues
  • Municipal and governmental law
  • Powers of attorney
  • Real estate
  • Zoning, planning, and land use

Community Involvement

As a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Jim served as a Board Member and President of the Washington County UT Alumni Association and served a three-year term as a member of the UT National Alumni Association Board of Governors.

Jim has also been involved in many community organizations and served both as a volunteer and in various leadership roles. He is a former member of the Washington County Land Use Coordinating Committee, the local Red Cross Advisory Board, the Johnson City Senior Center Advisory Board, the Johnson City Medical Center Hospice Advisory Board, and as a member as well as past Chair of the Crumley House Brain Injury Treatment Center Foundation Board.

He's been active in the Johnson City/Washington County Chamber of Commerce and is a graduate of the Chamber Leadership 2015 program. He's also a graduate of the Johnson City Citizens Police Academy. He was named a "40 Under Forty" Emerging Star of the Business Community by the Business Journal of East Tennessee/Virginia in 2000.

In 2018, Jim was elected to the Washington County Commission to represent the 14th District. He was then elected Vice-Chairman of the Commission and Chairman of the Public Safety Committee. He has served on the Washington County Regional Planning Commission and Health Education and Welfare Committee. Jim serves on the County Budget Committee and the County Rules Committee.

Jim is married to Laura Wheeler, and they have two adult children and one grandchild. The Wheelers are members of the Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church in Johnson City, Tennessee, where Jim has served as the Lay Leader of the congregation and has been a member of Munsey's Church Council and Administrative Board for many years. He was previously chairman of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, the Youth Ministry Advisory Team, the Invite Ministry Team Chair, and the Send Ministry Team Chair. He served a three-year term as Chair of the Global Missions Committee. Additionally, Jim taught the eighth and ninth-grade Confirmation Classes for membership in the Church for many years.

In 1996, Jim Served on a mission team to the former Soviet Republic of Estonia in conjunction with constructing the Baltic Mission Center and Seminary. In 1998, he returned to Estonia as co-leader of a construction team working on the Center.

Jim can be reached via email at jim@firsttownlaw.com. Contact Jim today to learn more!

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