K. Erickson Herrin

Erick Herrin is an experienced attorney who has been practicing law since 1986. A graduate of Samford University – Cumberland School of Law, Erickson has dedicated his career to representing local governments and their employees.

His deep knowledge of municipal law and commitment to public service make him a trusted advisor and advocate. Erickson’s integrity and legal expertise continue to benefit the communities he serves.

Samuel K. McPeak

Sam focuses his practice in insurance defense litigation and business law. He grew up in Washington County, Tennessee, and received his BA from East Tennessee State University. While attending college, he obtained a state internship with the 100th Tennessee General Assembly in Nashville.  Sam received his Juris Doctor from Michigan State University.

Thereafter, he became an LLM candidate at the University of Miami in taxation and, mid-way through obtaining his LLM, he was activated from enlisted inactive Army Reserves in January of 2003. Sam never returned to Miami after the activation and instead accepted a position at this firm. He resigned his JAG commission in 2008. Sam is a former Washington County Bar President, former Keystone Dental Clinic President, Rotarian Paul Harris Fellow, and former ESGR Ombudsman.

Hunter S. Shepard

Hunter, proudly born and raised in Johnson City, Tennessee, is a graduate from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.  His practice areas consist of insurance defense, including civil rights, torts, and employment litigation.  Upon graduating from law school, he served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Thomas R. Frierson, II, on the Tennessee Court of Appeals in Knoxville, Tennessee. 

Hunter is a member of the Washington County Bar, where he previously served a term as its president, as well as the local chapter of the Federal Bar Association.  Aside from the practice of law, Hunter enjoys studying Appalachian history, listening to country music, watching baseball and college football, and, most of all, being a dad.

Rebecca J. Ketchie

Rebecca, a Notre Dame Law School graduate, is the past president of the Kingsport Bar Association, board member of the Greater Kingsport Family YMCA, Tennessee Chapter of the American Planning Association, a TN Supreme Court listed Rule 31 Family Law Mediator, and is on the AAA panel of consumer arbitrators.

Rebecca’s experience includes general civil litigation, family law, and employment law. She has particular expertise in municipal law, land use, and civil rights.

Thomas J. Garland, Jr.

In 1982, Thomas J. Garland, Jr. graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science. In 1985, Mr. Garland graduated from the University of Tennessee School of Law. In 1985, he was law clerk to the Honorable Houston M. Goddard, Tennessee Court of Civil Appeals. In 1986, Mr. Garland was staff counsel to the President’s Commission on Americans Outdoors in Washington, D.C. From 1987 through 2025, he practiced with the law firm of Milligan & Coleman, PLLP, focusing on defense of governmental entities and officials in federal and state court. From 1997 through 2007, Mr. Garland was publisher/editor of Garland’s Digest on Employment Discrimination Law, a web site that provided attorneys across the country with weekly updates on the latest federal appellate court decisions. In 2002, Mr. Garland authored Employment Discrimination Digest, published by James Publishing.

Mr. Garland is a member in good standing of the Bar of the State of Tennessee, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Jeffrey M. Ward

Jeffrey M. Ward is a licensed Tennessee attorney with over thirty years of experience practicing law in the area of civil litigation and was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2018.  He has been listed in Tennessee as a Rule 31 General Civil Mediator since 2013 and has been approved as a Certified Mediator for the Federal Mediation Program of the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Tennessee since 2014.  Since 2013, he has served as a mediator in hundreds of cases.  On January 9, 2024, he was appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court to serve as a Commissioner on the Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission.  In 2024, he was also inducted into the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.

Mr. Ward graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law, summa cum laude, in 1993. Prior to that, he graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree, with honors, in Electrical Engineering.  He is a member in good standing of the Bar of the State of Tennessee, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

From 2014 through 2023, Mr. Ward served as a Board Member of the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners (“TBLE”) by appointment of the Tennessee Supreme serving as the President of the TBLE for the years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021.  In 2018, the Tennessee Supreme Court appointed Mr. Ward to serve as the Chair of the Tennessee Law Course Committee, and he is one of the presenters of the Tennessee Law Course that the Court approved.

Angel Baker – Legal Assistant

Angel is a lifelong resident of Greene County, Tennessee. She has always had a fascination with the court system and has been a legal assistant for over 24 years, for which her keen eye for detail has been a great asset. For the last 6 years, she has also served as a legal transcriptionist. 

In her free time, Angel enjoys Bible studies, driving the back roads of Greene County, watching true crime, and spending time with her husband and 2 children.

Nanette Carver – Legal Assistant

Nan is an Ohio native but was raised in Hampton, Tennessee. She attended East Tennessee State University, and has been a legal assistant for over 25 years.

Nan is very active in her church, she has been a guest speaker at many local churches, as well as local women’s conferences.

Hoping to make a difference in young women’s lives, Nan took a break from working as a legal assistant.  Nan served as a Correctional Officer for 3 years at the Johnson City Detention Center.  Nan feels the 3 years spent as a CO, was some of her most humbling, and fulfilling years. 

Ashlyn Damico – Legal Assistant

Ashlyn is a summa cum laude graduate of Liberty University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Politics and Policy with a minor in Criminal Justice. Originally from Maryland, she and her husband recently relocated to Johnson City, Tennessee.

During her time at Liberty University, Ashlyn was involved in various academic and extracurricular activities, particularly those focused on law and policy. She served as captain of the Mock Trial Team, a Dean’s Council member, an editor for the Helms School of Government Statesmanship Journal, and a senator for the Helms School of Government.

Ashlyn is passionate about law and legal studies and is dedicated to expanding her knowledge and expertise in the field.

McKinley White – Legal Assistant

McKinley was born and raised in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. After falling in love with the Tri-Cities area, she made her home in Hampton. Before joining the team at Herrin, McPeak & Associates, McKinley worked for five years as a family law paralegal, driven by a passion for expanding her knowledge of the legal field.

Outside of her career, she enjoys hiking, reading, and exploring the night sky through her telescope. McKinley is also deeply committed to community service, having volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Anderson County, as well as with various animal rescues and summer camps