Atty. Jay W. Mader
Jay Mader focuses on employment and business litigation. His employment law practice includes cases involving discrimination, harassment, and retaliation with claims relating to age, gender, race, disability, and whistleblower allegations.
Employment Law - Individuals & More Attorney · Serving Knoxville, TN
Profile Summary
About Jay W. Mader at a Glance
Jay W. Mader is a employment and litigation attorney based in Knoxville, Tennessee, practicing at Arnett Baker Draper Hagood LLP. Educated at The University of Tennessee (J.D., 1993) and The University of Tennessee (B.A., 1989). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Individuals (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026). Serves clients in Knoxville, TN and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Jay W. Mader
- Jay Mader focuses on employment and business litigation
- His employment law practice includes cases involving discrimination, harassment, and retaliation with claims relating to age, gender, race, disability, and whistleblower allegations
- He also handles wage and hour and FMLA litigation
- Jay’s experience in business litigation includes cases involving breach of contract and fiduciary duty, fraud and misrepresentation, consumer protection, and other business torts
- In addition to litigation, Jay regularly counsels clients on employment and business law matters
- He joined Arnett, Draper & Hagood in 2002 and became a partner in 2005
- He is licensed in the state of Tennessee and is a member of the Knoxville Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association and American Bar Association
- Jay is admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the United States District Court for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Tennessee, and all Tennessee trial and appellate courts
- He received his B.A. from the University of Tennessee in 1989 and his J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1993
- Jay is a member of the Hamilton Burnett American Inn of Court as a Master of the Bench and is a Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator
- Jay has an AV preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubble and is listed in Best Lawyers in America in the practice areas of Employment Law, Management (2018 to present)
- Litigation - Labor and Employment (2018 to present)
- Employment Law – Individuals (2020)
Selected Experience
- · Lead counsel in two week jury trial in U.S
- District Court resulting in verdict for breach of contract, promissory estoppel, and Tennessee Consumer Protection Act · Directed verdict on behalf of multi-national company during jury trial of ADEA claims · Defense verdict in FLSA retaliation claim in U.S
- District Court · Jury trials defending FMLA and ADA claims in U.S
- District Court · Defense verdict in personal injury claim in Tennessee State Court · Trials to verdict in Tennessee Circuit and Chancery Court bench trials including business and discrimination claims · Briefed and argued cases before Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and Tennessee Court of Appeals in employment and business disputes · Transactional matters including divestiture of business division, asset purchases, resort development, healthcare contracts, and business counseling · Defense of administrative charges and proceedings involving EEOC, U.S
- DOL, and THRC · Summary judgement in cases involving claims of age discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, false light, intentional interference, construction defects, and breach of fiduciary duties Lead counsel in complex employment, business, insurance coverage, and construction defect litigation
Practice Areas Explained
Jay W. Mader's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Jay W. Mader handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Knoxville.
Employment Law in Knoxville
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Jay W. Mader is one of 167,770 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Tennessee →
Civil Litigation in Knoxville
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Jay W. Mader is one of 450,750 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Tennessee →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Knoxville
Practicing law in Tennessee. Legal matters in Tennessee are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Knoxville are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Tennessee state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Tennessee brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Tennessee courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Knoxville Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Knoxville-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Tennessee attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Knoxville or all attorneys in Tennessee.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Knoxville Choose Jay W. Mader
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Jay W. Mader's practice in the field of employment and litigation.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering employment and litigation, Jay W. Mader can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Knoxville
A Knoxville-based practice means Jay W. Mader attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Jay W. Mader Handles in Knoxville
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Jay W. Mader has experience with under Tennessee law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Jay W. Mader directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Jay W. Mader Online
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Jay W. Mader's Practice Areas & Specializations
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