Firm Overview

Biddle, Trew and Parr, LLP
20 Washington Avenue
Athens, Tennessee 37371
Phone: 423-745-3573
Fax: 423-745-9044

Biddle, Trew and Parr, LLP is a full service law firm.  However, we do not practice in the areas of family and domestic law.  We represent companies and individuals in both advisory and litigation/trial settings.  The firm was opened by Kenneth D. Higgins in 1946.  In 1962, William P. Biddle, III joined Mr. Higgins to form the partnership known as Higgins and Biddle.  In 1974, Frederic J. Chester joined the firm.   In 1984, H. Christopher Trew became an associate with Higgins, Biddle and Chester.  Thereafter, the firm became known and Higgins, Biddle, Chester and Trew.  In 2005, Lance W. Parr joined the firm after practicing for several years in a large civil defense firm in Birmingham, Alabama.  Currently, our 3 lawyers possess over 70 years of legal experience combined, and the firm is the oldest in the City of Athens and McMinn County.

Our attorneys possess sterling academic credentials, strong community ties, and a deep commitment to your case or legal issue.  They speak “plain English”.  They demonstrate the strictest personal and professional ethics.  Above all, they are committed to representing you and your best interests, both financially and legally.

A unique aspect of our firm is its billing practice.  We are up front and ethical about our fees so that there simply are no bad surprises.  We strive to provide cost effective methods of representation in a timely, client-orientated manner.  We return phone calls promptly and keep you updated about your case on a regular basis.

OUR FIRM’S BILLING PRACTICES

Our firm prides itself in being creative regarding legal fees.  We try to tailor each fee arrangement to the particular client’s needs, rather than being rigid and inflexible, as many attorneys do not stray from their hourly rate.  Although an hourly rate is the most common form of billing, there are also contingency fee arrangements which only require payment of attorneys’ fees in the event you are successful and recover from the other side.  In contingency fee arrangements, the bottom line is you don’t get paid, we don’t.  Because of the inherent risks involved in contingency fee cases, it is not uncommon for percentages to range from forty to fifty percent.  However, our firm commonly requires thirty three to forty five percent of your recovery.  There are also mixed hourly/contingency fee arrangements.  In this type of arrangement, we reduce our normal hourly rate of $130 to $160 dollars per hour down to nearly half that amount, but we also charge a contingency fee somewhere in the neighborhood of ten to twenty five percent.

In many cases, the likelihood of a monetary judgment or settlement amount would not be worth the time spent and money spent on attorneys’ fees.  We are very up-front about whether it would benefit you in the long run to hire an attorney.  For example, you may be seeking the enforcement of a contract which would only give you $500.00 in damages.  Because this type of case would probably cost more to pursue than you would be entitled to in the end, who would advise you that it is simply not worth pursuing.  If you choose to pursue it as a matter of principal, we would be happy to represent you.

GENERAL LEGAL ADVICE AND CONSULTATIONS
 
I am not sure if I have a legal remedy or if a lawyer can help me.  Can I still come in and talk to someone?

Absolutely.  Initial consultations are free of charge if our firm accepts your case, refers you to another firm, or if you leave our office without receiving any legal advice.  If, during our meeting, we give you legal advice which does not require further action, you may be charged a small fee for our time and guidance.

Can I get legal advice through a phone call?

We generally do not give advice over the phone because face to face interviews are always more effective. This is the practice of most lawyers.  Additionally, documents are often involved that will need to be reviewed during the initial consultation.  As stated above, the initial consultation is usually free of charge.

I am sure the other party is at fault or will lose in a lawsuit.  Can I make them pay for my attorneys’ fees?

Generally, no.  Unless a specific statute provides for the recovery of attorneys’ fees (i.e. Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, and some Federal employment discrimination statutes), or unless a contract or agreement calls for attorneys’ fees to be paid by the other party, each side must pay their own attorneys’ fees to pursue or defend a legal claim.