Atty. William E. Godbold III

Atty. William E. Godbold III

Mr. Godbold is a managing Member of the firm and represents pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers and a leading clinical laboratory.

Chattanooga Chattanooga 50 yrs experience 50 year
Call (423) 558-3121 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About William E. Godbold III at a glance

William E. Godbold III is an Of Counsel based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, practicing at Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan, PLLC. They have 50+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1976. Their practice focuses on employment, slip & fall, product liability, health care, and adr. Admitted to practice in Tennessee U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit U.S. District Court for the Easter (1976). Educated at University of Memphis (J.D., 1976) and University of Tennessee at Knoxville (B.S., 1971). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serands clients in Chattanooga, TN and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Mr. Godbold is a managing Member of the firm and represents pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers and a leading clinical laboratory
  • He has successfully defended malpractice cases for various professional disciplines including physicians, attorneys, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and accountants
  • Mr. Godbold has experience in litigating product liability cases of all types including significant complex matters involving construction equipment, electrical transformers, chemical products and aircraft
  • His practice area also includes employment discrimination matters and general tort liability
  • Mr. Godbold is often called upon to render coverage opinions for professional insurance underwriters for claims involving architects, engineers, real estate agents and title companies
  • Honors and Awards • AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell • Tennessee Bar Foundation Fellow • Super Lawyer - Mid-South • Best Lawyer in America (Medical Malpractice- Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants; 2008-2022; Insurance Law, 2021-2022) • Best Lawyer "Lawyer of the Year" Medical Malpractice- Defendants (2015) • Best Lawyer "Lawyer of the Year" Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2018) • Chattanooga Bar Association Fellow • Board of Directors of the University of Memphis Law School Alumni Association • Case Comments Editor of the Memphis State Law Review • Captain in the U.S
  • Army Reserves (Military Intelligence) Community Involvement • National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Leadership Class • Habitat for Humanity • Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church - Ruling Elder Professional Affiliations • Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC) • International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) • Defense Research Institute (Drug and Medical Device Committee) • Chattanooga, Tennessee and American (Member, Sections on Litigation, Tort and Insurance Practice) Bar Associations • Federal Bar Association • Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association • Hearing Committee Member for the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility • Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator

Practice Areas Explained

William E. Godbold III's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases William E. Godbold III handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Employment Law

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

William E. Godbold III is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Tennessee →

Slip & Fall / Premises Liability

William E. Godbold III is one of 29,473 slip & fall attorneys indexed nationally. Browse slip & fall attorneys in Tennessee →

Product Liability

William E. Godbold III is one of 66,193 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in Tennessee →

Health Care Law

Health care attorneys for HIPAA, Medicare, Medicaid, regulatory compliance, and medical licensing matters.

William E. Godbold III is one of 66,735 health care attorneys indexed nationally. Browse health care attorneys in Tennessee →

Mediation & Arbitration

Mediators and arbitrators for civil, commercial, family, and employment dispute resolution.

William E. Godbold III is one of 73,906 adr attorneys indexed nationally. Browse adr attorneys in Tennessee →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Tennessee

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 Chattanooga 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 andnue, 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.

Looking for additional Tennessee attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chattanooga or all attorneys in Tennessee.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about William E. Godbold III

Where is William E. Godbold III's law office located?
William E. Godbold III's law practice is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The firm is Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan, PLLC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does William E. Godbold III handle?
William E. Godbold III focuses on employment, slip & fall, product liability, health care, adr. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Tennessee.
How long has William E. Godbold III practiced law?
William E. Godbold III has 50+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1976.
Where did William E. Godbold III go to law school?
William E. Godbold III earned their education at (J.D., 1976); (B.S., 1971).
How can I contact William E. Godbold III for a consultation?
You can contact William E. Godbold III directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has William E. Godbold III received?
William E. Godbold III's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

J.D.
University of Memphis
- 1976
B.S.
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
- 1971

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

Tennessee U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit U.S. District Court for the Easter
Admitted: 1976

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