John Hollins, Jr.


JHOLLINSJR@HOLLINSLEGAL.COM
Phone: 615-256-6666
Fax: 615-254-4254
424 Church Street
Suite 2200, Fifth Third Center
Nashville, Tennessee 37219

Practice Areas

  • Divorce and Domestic Relations Law
  • Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Law
  • Civil Litigation

I am pleased to announce the publication of my new book, Surviving Divorce: A Lawyer’s Common Sense Guide To What You Should Know Before, During, And After A Divorce. It is available for purchase at Amazon.com. The book has been reviewed by the Nashville Bar Journal and the Colorado Lawyer.

I have been blessed to be a domestic relations and personal injury trial attorney for over twenty-two years with Hollins, Wagster, Weatherly & Raybin, P.C. and two years with Hollins, Raybin & Weissman, P.C. After all that time, I am still passionate about my clients, my career and my chosen profession. However, to know John Hollins, Jr., you have to take a look at the whole picture.

I am a Nashville native through and through, with roots that run deep. My great-grandfather, Robert Stewart Hollins, founded the Hollins Shoe Company in downtown Nashville, Tennessee in the late 1890’s. My grandfather, Lunsford M. Hollins, Sr. graduated from Duncan Academy and Vanderbilt University, as did my uncle, Lunsford Meredith Hollins, Jr. A gifted athlete, Lunsford Hollins, Jr. was an All-American quarterback at Vanderbilt University in the late 1930’s (in the era of leather helmets!) My family says that’s where I got my tenacity.

My father, John J. Hollins, Sr., was schooled locally, graduating from Montgomery Bell Academy in 1951, Vanderbilt University in 1953, and Vanderbilt Law School in 1957. He was the senior partner for the law firm of Hollins, Wagster, Weatherly & Raybin, P.C. and has practiced law in the Nashville area for over fifty years, focusing on domestic relations law for the past twenty-five. He retired in 2011. I am proud to say he has earned a reputation as one of the best trial attorneys in the country. More importantly, he has been married to my mother, Carol Sue, for over fifty-five years.

I grew up in Brentwood, Tennessee just south of Nashville. I graduated from Oak Hill Elementary School in 1974 and Montgomery Bell Academy high school in 1980. In 1984 I graduated from Auburn University with a major in History and a minor in English, Economics and Business. As a senior, I received the Ralph B. Draughon Award given annually to the most outstanding History major at Auburn University. Influenced by my father’s passion for helping others, I followed in his footsteps career-wise, graduating from the University of Tennessee Law School in 1987.

On April 15, 1987, I began working for the law firm of Hollins, Wagster & Yarbrough, P.C. I chose to work for the law firm because I would have the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the courtroom as a young attorney, learn from the cream of the legal crop, and, of course, work side by side with my dad. I gained experience rapidly. Early in my career I handled court-appointed criminal cases, insurance defense and personal injury cases. I tried my first jury trial within six months of my law school graduation. I was also appointed as lead counsel in a prominent death penalty case. Since that time, I have tried close to 75 personal injury jury cases, and countless family law cases.

On January 1, 2010, I started the law firm of Hollins, Raybin & Weissman, P.C. where I am the president and managing partner. The firm primarily handles cases in the areas of family law, criminal defense and personal injury. My practice is devoted exclusively to family law. Our associate lawyers and legal assistants are second to none. Their wit and wisdom make the practice of law most enjoyable.

One thing experience has taught me is that litigation takes a huge toll on the parties. So while litigation is a huge part of my law practice, I also pride myself in the ability to negotiate and mediate these cases. I have honed my negotiation skills through lessons learned representing clients for twenty-five years. Without a doubt, I have the skills to garner the results that are in my clients’ best interests. My practice has been successful because I genuinely care about my clients as people. Today many of my closest friends are former clients. Through my practice I have developed many long term friendships of which I am most proud.

During my twenty-five year career I have met so many interesting people from very diverse backgrounds. This has kept me fired up about the practice of law and looking forward to the next twenty-five years.

On Christmas Day 2008, I embarked on a new venture. Discussions with my dear friend, H. Jackson Brown, author of the blockbuster Life’s Little Instruction Books inspired me to write my first book, Surviving Divorce. With a pen in hand, I began writing a “do’s and don’ts” book for my family law clients. After dozens of rough drafts and eighteen months of editing, the book was complete. Surviving Divorce is an easy to read and easy to understand manual to help clients, family members, and friends survive the trials and tribulations of divorce with their dignity intact. My book’s website www.survivingdivorcebook.com contains a video, press releases, press interviews, book reviews, and purchasing information. Please check it out and let me know your thoughts. Sales have been encouraging.

In 2008 I was fortunate enough to be selected as Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Nashville where I have been a lifelong member. Since that time, my firm and I have become involved in local missions work in the Middle Tennessee area including Habitat for Humanity home building, flood relief, and tornado relief. I am proud that my firm could give something back to those genuinely in need.

In January 2012, I experienced my first mission’s trip. Our task was to paint and construct a computer lab at the Ebenezer Elementary School in Mandeville, Jamaica. Armed with paint rollers and skill saws our six-man crew completed our projects in less than one week. It is truly amazing how this experience made me genuinely appreciate all that I have been given. I can’t wait to get back next year!

I am just as passionate about my activities away from the courtroom. I enjoy spending time with Laura, my wife of fifteen years, and my twin eleven year old daughters, Meredith and Emily. I enjoy bird hunting, clay target shooting, and watching my girls play soccer, basketball, football, softball, and track. The entire family enjoys rooting for the Auburn Tigers, the Tennessee Titans, the Nashville Predators, and spending time at the beach on Dauphin Island, Alabama.

SELECTING AN ATTORNEY

Experience and trust are probably the most important factors in the decision clients make regarding the selection of an attorney. Please allow me to highlight a few points about my career about which I am the most proud:

  • I have been a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers since 2011.
  • I have been rated as an AV lawyer, the highest rating possible, by “Martindale–Hubbell” since 2000.
  • I have been listed in “The Best Lawyers in America” in the field of domestic relations since 2003.
  • I have been a board member of the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee (2003–2008).
  • I have also been listed as a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 family law mediator since 2003.
  • I have been listed in the Mid-South edition of Super-Lawyers from 2009 – until the present.
  • I have been listed in the Nashville’s Best Lawyers since 2009.

In conclusion, the selection of an attorney is one of the most important decisions you will ever have to make. It is my desire to provide both a personal glimpse into John Hollins, Jr. as well as the objective criteria that makes me an outstanding selection for your representation.

John Hollins, Jr., profile information

Education

  • J.D., University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 1987
  • B.A., Auburn University, 1984

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
  • Supreme Court of the State of Tennessee

Professional Listing

  • Best Lawyers in America
  • Martindale–Hubbell (2000 – Present)
  • FindLaw

Professional and Civic Organizations

  • Licensed mediator, Family law, Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 2003 Present
  • Hearing Panel Member: Board of Professional Responsibility, Supreme Court of Tennessee, 2000–2002
  • Board Member: Board of Professional Responsibility, Supreme Court of Tennessee, 2003 – Present
  • Board Member, Tennessee Clay Target Complex, 2001 – Present
  • John Marshall American Inns of Court, Williamson County, Master 1998 – Present

Bar and Professional Memberships

  • Listing in “The Best Lawyers in America” in the field of domestic relations (2003 – present)
  • Listing in “The Mid–South Super Lawyers” Family Law Section (2008–present)
  • Board member of the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee (2003 – 2008)
  • Member of the Nashville Bar Foundation (2003–present)
  • Listing as a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Family Law Mediator (2003 – present)
  • Hearing Panel member, Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee (2000–2002)
  • Barrister of the Tennessee John Marshal American Inn of Court, Williamson County, TN (1998–present)
  • Nashville Bar Association (1987–present)
  • Tennessee Bar Association (1987–present)
  • American Bar Associations (1987–present)
  • Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association (1987–present)
  • American Trial Lawyers Association (1987–present)

Appellate Cases

  • Doe 1 ex rel. Doe 1 v. Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashville,154 S.W.3d 22 (Tenn.2005)(outrageous conduct claims against the Roman Catholic Diocese stemming from Catholic priest sexual molestation of adolescent boys).
  • Biscan v. Brown, 160 S.W.3d 462 (Tenn. 2004) (adult host had duty to exercise reasonable care to protect minor guests and third persons from risks associated with drinking and driving and established the parameters of the Tennessee Dram Shop Act as it applies to social hosts).

Cases In the news

Community Activities

  • Board member of American Diabetes Association (1995–1998)
  • Member of American Diabetes Association (1995–present)
  • Chairman of Tennessee U.S. Senator Fred Thompson’s Celebrity Shoot which benefited various 501(c)(3) charities (1995–2000)
  • Staff volunteer and fundraiser for election campaign of Tennessee U.S. Senator Fred D. Thompson, 1994
  • Staff volunteer and fundraiser for re–election campaign of Tennessee U.S. Senator Fred D. Thompson, 1996
  • Board member of Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine (1997–2000)
  • Member of the Tennessee Chapter of Ducks Unlimited (1995–present)
  • Member of the Tennessee Chapter of Quail Unlimited (1998–present)
  • Member of Delta Water Fowl (2000–present)
  • Board member and 2003 honoree of the Iron Man charity fund raiser benefiting various 501(c)(3) charities (2000–2003)
  • Deacon, First Presbyterian Church, Nashville, TN (2008–present)