About Denise S. Terry

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Morristown Personal Injury Attorney

Attorney Denise Terry has a passion for justice and serving others that was instilled in her from a very young age. As a small child she would go to her Father, Charles Terry’s Law office on Saturday mornings and listen as he worked and met with his clients.  Thus, her love affair with the law began.

Denise worked with her Father, Charles Terry since June 1982 and continued working with him until his death in May 2009.  During their 28-year partnership they tried hundreds of jury trials both civil and criminal and assisted thousands of people in the Lakeway Area who had been seriously injured or wrongly accused. Charlie Terry always told his daughter that we “…proudly represent the man behind the plow…” Denise enjoys every day that she has the opportunity to assist the people of this community.

Realizing her moral obligation to give to the community that she loves, she has been a dedicated community servant. She served as The President of Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce, as a board member for various community organization and volunteer positions at her church. Denise has enjoyed participating in fundraising efforts for Helen Ross McNabb, Young Life, All Saints Episcopal School, HC Excel, Girls, Inc., ALPS Adult Day Services, Food on Foot and many other worthy community organizations.

She is honored to serve as a Director of The Andrew Johnson Bank.

Results Obtained by The Terry Law Firm

$33

Million

Theft of trade secret, patent infringement

$23.96

Million

Recovery for hearing loss sustained to workers at Berkline Manufacturing Plant

$15

Million

Product liability, roof crush, negligence, paralysis

$6.5

Million

Product liability airbag negligence, paralysis

Professional Background:

While managing The Terry Law Firm, Denise worked to obtain her Doctor Juris Prudence.  Denise has always realized the importance of having strong mentors, friends and family in the legal arena and strongly amerced herself in local and state wide efforts to obtain the knowledge and training necessary to become a fierce advocate for her clients.

Denise Terry was invited to participate on numerous occasions The Masters in Trial Program that is presented by the Tennessee Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates in Nashville.  Only a few well renowned attorneys from across the nation were asked to participate in this mock trial demonstration.  This seminar is designed to teach by example with outstanding trial lawyers with different styles. Attorneys who are just beginning their trial practice and seasoned veterans who appreciate observing new ideas and methods attend to hear the “best of the best” in trial lawyers.

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Area of Practice:

  • Criminal Law
  • Personal Injury
  • Wills and Estate

Education:

  • Doctor of Jurisprudence-Nashville School of Law, Nashville, TN 1986
  • Bachelor of Arts Psychology (with honors) University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN 1982

Associations:

  • American Board of Trial Advocates, Past President of Tennessee Chapter
  • Tennessee Bar Association since 1987
  • Tennessee Trial Lawyers

Reported Cases:

  • State v. Carter, 889 S.W. 2d 231 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994)
  • Simmons v. Simmons, 900 S. W. 2d 682 (Tenn. 1995)
  • Emery v. Southern Railway Company, 866 S.W. 2d 557 (Tenn. App. 1993)
  • State v. Shuck, 953 S.W. 2d 662 (Tenn. 1997)

Community:

  • Recognized at Lady of the Lakeway Area by Citizen Tribune
  • Partner at Arrowhead Church
  • Theatre Guild, Inc.-Board of Directors 1993-1995
  • Discover Tennessee Grants Committee 1992-1996
  • Morristown Hamblen High School West Mock Trial Team Coach 1994
  • Girls, Inc. Board of Directors 1991-1995
  • Girls, Inc. “100 Club” Charter Member
  • Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member 2000-2007
  • 2006 President of Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Actively involved in trial of high profile criminal and civil cases in East TN
  • Admitted to practice law in Tennessee State Court, U.S. District Court,  Sixth Circuit-Cincinnati
  • Morristown Regional Airport Commission
  • Avid Supporter of Alps Adult Day Services
  • Avid Supporter of Helen Ross McNabb Center
  • HC Excel Board Member
  • Trustee for Bethesda Cemetery

Personal:

  • Born Ozark, Alabama in 1958
  • Married to Mike Castellarin.
  • Mother of Gabriel Charles Stapleton  a practicing lawyer with the firm and NeNe to her grandson, Henry Charles Stapleton.

Awards:

  • ABOTA National named the Tennessee ABOTA chapter- Chapter of the Year in 2006, the year Denise served as President of this statewide organization consisting of plaintiff and defense counsel.
  • Walters State Community College- 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award

Personal background:

Denise grew up in the wonderful small town  of Bulls Gap. She attended Bulls Gap School from Grade 1-12.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is that the depth of relationship that I establish with my clients as together we navigate through a difficult time in their life. The bond we form during those times is strong and never forgotten.

In my spare time I enjoy cooking and travelling. My husband and I enjoy seeing new sights and trying new restaurants along the way.

In 2016 Denise and her mother Florence travelled to Antarctica and had fun with the Penguins. Denise and her mother have travelled to all continents with the exception of Australia. The pandemic has put a kink in their travel plans.

Denise and her husband Mike enjoy cooking at home and most recently have filmed episodes of “Cooking with Counsel” in our kitchen. Denise does the cooking and Michael does the filming, lighting and technical components of the show.

Additionally, Denise and Mike love the lake, hiking in the Smokies and following the Vols.