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Professionals

Derek W. Mullins

Associate

Derek W. Mullins is a litigator who focuses on business, commercial, construction, insurance, labor and employment, product liability, professional liability, real estate, tax, and transportation and logistics disputes.

Overview


  • University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D., 2017
    • Concentration in Advocacy and Dispute Resolution
  • University of Tennessee, Knoxville, B.A., 2012
  • Tennessee, 2017
  • Georgia, 2023
  • U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Northern Districts of Georgia
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Middle and North Districts of Georgia
  • U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Tennessee
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Tennessee
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth, Sixth, and Eleventh Circuits
  • Georgia Court of Appeals
  • Georgia Supreme Court
  • U.S. Tax Court
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Derek Mullins is a senior litigation associate in the Firm's Chattanooga and Atlanta offices. He serves as a trusted advisor to clients in a wide range of disputes, including business and commercial, construction, health care, insurance, labor and employment, product liability, professional liability, real estate, and transportation and logistics matters. He represents clients at every stage of a dispute, from pre-litigation investigation through litigation, discovery, trial, and appellate proceedings, routinely securing dismissals and summary judgments.

Mr. Mullins is admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in Tennessee and Georgia, as well as before the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Tax Court, and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Sixth, and Eleventh Circuits.

During his law school career at the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law, Mr. Mullins earned multiple CALI Excellence for the Future Awards, served on the moot court board, practiced in the law school's appellate advocacy clinic, and earned recognition from the Supreme Court of Tennessee for more than 100 hours of pro bono service. He also received a nomination to the Order of Barristers, recognizing exceptional skill and achievement in trial and appellate advocacy and brief writing.

As part of the Firm's litigation team, Mr. Mullins has participated in numerous mock trials designed to help clients analyze and evaluate case value, test themes, and transform juror feedback into actionable trial strategy.

  • Obtained a multitude of favorable rulings on motions to dismiss and summary judgment for clients across various industries.

  • Leveraged numerous voluntary dismissals as a result of pre-litigation investigations.

  • Represented numerous employers in investigations conducted by the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission and state human rights commissions.

  • Advised clients in the insurance industry on matters involving coverage obligations.

  • Represented insurance carriers pursuing declaratory judgments to adjudicate coverage obligations arising from insurance agreements.

  • Represented individuals and entities in due process hearings conducted by state taxing agencies and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

  • Represented individuals and entities seeking penalty and interest abatements, and installment and lump-sum settlement payment agreements with state taxing agencies and the IRS.

  • Successfully represented an insurer in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in a complex wrongful death case interpreting Georgia's direct-action statute. The court affirmed summary judgment, holding that the statute must be strictly construed and does not permit a plaintiff to sue an insurer without also naming the motor carrier.

  • Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Litigation – Construction (2023 – 2026)
  • Member – Chattanooga Bar Association
  • Member – Chattanooga Justices Ray L. Brock Jr. – Robert E. Cooper Chapter of the American Inns of Court
  • Member – Tennessee Bar Association
  • Member – Georgia Bar Association
  • Member – Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association
    • Annual Meeting Co-chair (2019)
    • Amicus Committee Member (2021 – present)
    • Executive Board Member (2025 – present)
  • Member – Federal Bar Association
  • Member – Trucking Industry Defense Association
  • Member – Transportation Lawyers Association
  • Member – Baker Donelson's 24-Hour Transportation Emergency Response Team

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