Bill Hotz

Bill Hotz was born and raised in West Los Angeles, California, just a stones throw from Hollywood.  That should tell you a lot right there.  Bill graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara  in 1969 and received his law degree  from the University of Santa Clara in 1973. 

  Bill traveled throughout the United States and Europe after law school.   His travels brought him to Knoxville, Tennessee where he met a lovely UT coed.  Shorly thereafter Bill knew he had found home.  He has been practicing law in Knoxville since 1976.

  For nearly 35 years, Bill has represented people.  He doesn't represent corporations and he doesn't represent insurance compnies.  Bill is passionate in his belief that all Americans have rights.  Sometimes when people are denied their rights, Bill Hotz is the voice that will speak up for and stand by these people.  

Bill has been married to Dru, the coed who ended his rambling days, for 35 years.  Bill and Dru have a son (David) and a daugher (Allison).

Gary Adkins

  Gary Adkins was born and raised in Knoxville. After graduating from Central High School, he enrolled at the University of Tennessee, majoring in Mass Communications. Gary’s college education was interrupted by military duty. He served in the U. S. Navy as a journalist in Australia.  

After completing his military obligation, Gary returned to UT and obtained his degree in Communications. For the following 10 years, he worked in radio and promotion and advertising in the Knoxville area. In addition to working for WOKI-FM and other area radio stations, he also booked and promoted large arena concerts of bands such as Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band, Backman-Turner Overdrive, Blue Oyster Cult and others.  

In 1982 Gary decided he was probably having too much fun and went back to school to pursue a law degree. He graduated with Honors from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1985. He has been practicing law in East Tennessee ever since. His practice has been primarily limited to representing people against big insurance and big business. All his life he has enjoyed sticking it to the man.  

Gary joined Bill Hotz and Associates in 1992. Since then Gary and Bill have represented thousands of people. People who have been hurt in car wrecks. People who have been hurt on the job. People who have been hurt by dangerous and defective products. People who have been hurt by the negligence of others.  

Gary has two sons, Greg (and wife Jessica) and Adam (and wife Whitney). He also has two wonderful grandchildren, Connor and Claire.

Tim Baldridge

  Tim Baldridge was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. He attended Memphis State University (now University of Memphis) where he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1987. Tim also was a tight end on the Memphis Tigers football team.

At 6’ 1” and 245 pounds (official roster only), Tim realized very quickly his future belonged outside of football. In 1988 he moved to Lansing, Michigan, to attend law school at Thomas M. Cooley School of Law, where he earned his law degree in 1991. He worked one year as law clerk for the Honorable Thomas S. Eveland, Chief Judge of the 56Th Judicial Circuit Court, during which time he was also admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan. Thereafter, he entered into the private practice of law in Lansing.

In 1993, Lansing was recognized as the second cloudiest city in the United States, and it was that recognition, along with a lot of snow, that prompted Tim to pack his bags and head back south. Tim moved to Knoxville and opened his own law firm in 1998, concentrating his practice in family law, criminal law, personal injury, and workers’ compensation. Beginning in 1999, he became Of Counsel to the Gilbert Law Firm, where he handled the firm’s trial work for its personal injury and workers’ compensation cases.

Tim joined Bill Hotz and Associates in 2007. In addition to personal injury and workers’ compensation cases, Tim handles our extensive Social Security Disability practice. Disabilities come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of pain and incapacity. With this area of the law being such a complex legal field, Tim recommends that hiring a disability lawyer is the best way to ensure a favorable decision.

Sonya Napier

Born, raised and a lifelong resident of Knoxville, Tennessee, Sonya Napier graduated from Karns High School in 1984. She started a family and was a stay-at-home mom, before returning to school in paralegal studies.

Sonya has spent the majority of her legal career working as a legal assistant/paralegal for defense firms in Knoxville in the areas of workers’ compensation, personal injury and employment law. However, in 2008, Sonya decided to switch gears and accept a legal assistant/paralegal position at a plaintiff’s firm in West Knoxville. Sonya found it rewarding to help out “the underdog” in the areas of workers’ compensation, personal injury and family law. In 2010, Sonya joined Bill Hotz & Associates, P.C. as paralegal to Timothy Baldridge, assisting Tim in his extensive Social Security Disability practice.

In addition to a son, Sonya has a daughter and a granddaughter. Her hobbies include supporting her daughter’s high school band activities, motorcycling, gardening and spending time with family. She is an active member of the Patriot Guard Riders, supporting our veterans and showing respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security.

Stephanie Helton

Stephanie Helton was born and raised in Knoxville. After graduating from Carter High School, she decided to pursue an education and career in the medical field. One encounter with an eyeless cadaver in human anatomy class and she decided that the medical field might not be such a good choice after all.

The eyeless cadaver’s loss was our gain. Stephanie moved into the legal field and received her paralegal degree in 1994. Since that time she has worked both in real estate and as a paralegal. Her paralegal experience is primarily in the areas of personal injury, workers’ compensation and employment law. She is a skillful problem-solver and a tremendous asset to Bill Hotz and Associates.

Susie Franklin

Susie Franklin has worked as a Paralegal for nearly 20 years. The majority of her experience has been on cases involving personal injury, products liability, workers’ compensation and mass torts. She has worked for insurance defense law firms in the past, but now has found a home in helping people during their time of need.

Susie is happily married with 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren. She has been actively involved in volunteer work with the Navy Wives Club of the Department of Defense, Children’s Workshop, Second Harvest Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity.

Leesa M. Sullivan

Leesa M. Sullivan received her Associates of Science Degree in Accounting and Business Administration from South College in Knoxville, Tennessee in 2003. She graduated summa cum laude. For those of you who don't speak latin, that means she done good. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2006.

Leesa has more than 15 years of experience as a paralegal. She spent 11 plus of those years working for law firms who represent insurance companies and corporations. She came over from the dark side and joined Bill Hotz and Associates in 2008.

Because of her experience, Leesa offers our firm insight into what "the bad guys" are thinking and doing. Her hard work and expertise are invaluable assets. She believes in offering our clients a simple and assertive approach to helping people in need.

Yvette Moore

Yvette Moore is originally from Nashville, but has lived in Knoxville most of her life. Yvette brings an outstanding mix of education and experience to Bill Hotz and Associates. She has worked for doctors and hospitals as a medical secretary and attended National College with a major in Billing & Coding Transcription. Additionally, she has more than 5 years legal experience. Yvette has 2 beautiful daughters.

Detri Bales

Detri Bailes is the voice of Bill Hotz and Associates. But she is much more than a receptionist. She is a client ambassador. Detri goes the extra mile in listening to our clients and offering them encouragement during their time of need.
Detri, a native Knoxvillian, has been with us since 2008. She has nearly 20 years experience in working with and helping people, including 13 years in the medical field. Detri is married and has one son, Riley, age 3.

Samantha Rosen

Samantha E. Rosen is one of the newest members of the Bill Hotz and Associates team. We call her Sammi. You can too. Sammi is an East Tennessee girl, born in Maryville and living there still. She has been working in the legal field on and off (mostly on) for nearly 20 years. She has worked in several areas of the law, but most of her legal experience is working with law firms who represent injured people.

Sammi's specialty with our firm is the medical aspect of personal injury claims. She orders and organizes and analyzes medical reports and bills in an efficient manner designed to provide maximum help to our cilents.

Sammi always has a big smile on her face. Sammi loves to help people who need help. She truly loves her work.

Larry Higgins

Larry Higgins is our investigator.  Larry is one of the very best at finding people who don't necessarily want to be found.  Whether he's sifting through records at the courthouse or beating the bushes to serve subpoenas,  Larry is someone you want on your side.  

 Larry holds a B. S. in Sociology and has nearly 30 years of experience as an investigator.  He is licensed in both Tennessee and Texas.