Denise Terry Stapleton
Denise has been actively involved in the trials of high profile criminal and civil cases in East Tennessee for two decades. She was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 1987 and is licensed to practice law in all state and federal Courts in Tennessee. She was admitted to practice before the United States of America in December 2003. Denise obtained her B.A. degree from the University of Tennessee in 1982, and obtained her Juris Doctorate from the Nashville School of Law in 1986.
She has litigated civil cases including family law, automobile and medical negligence, products liability, railroad litigation, breach of contract, workers’ compensation, sexual harassment, trademark infringement, and malicious prosecution. Denise has tried murder cases before a jury, as well as cases with lesser consequences in General Sessions Court. She has appealed in excess of 26 cases to the Appellate Court, and currently has four reported cases where she has been successful in overturning the Trial Court’s rulings:
- State of Tennessee v. Merlin Shuck, 953 SW2d 662 (1997)
- State of Tennessee v. Marilyn Carter, 889 SW2d 231 (1994)
- Simmons v. Simmons, 900 SW2d 682 (1995)
- Emery v. Southern Railway, 866 SW2d 557 (1993)
Denise has been involved in thousands of cases that have not gone to trial. This proves her experience, and personal achievement in being able to negotiate, communicate and resolve without extensive litigation and trial.
The Tennessee Supreme Court has approved Denise as a Rule 31 Mediator, which enables her to assist attorneys and clients in the settlement of cases in litigation.
Denise is an active member of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Hamblen County Bar. Additionally, she is recognized as an Advocate by the American Board of Trial Advocates.
In 2003, Denise Terry Stapleton served as the President of the Tennessee Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. The Tennessee Chapter of ABOTA was recognized at the National Convention and named the National Chapter of the Year under her leadership.
Denise was appointed by Governor Don Sundquist to the Tennessee Arts Commission. In the local community, Denise formerly served on the Board of Directors of Girls, Inc., Morristown Theatre Guild, Morristown-Hamblen West High School Mock Trial Team sponsor, and was a member of the grant committee for Discover Tennessee. Denise also served as the Chair of the Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce in 2006. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Morristown.
Denise is married to Mark Stapleton, and they are the parents of Gabriel Charles Stapleton.
