TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Dec 10, 2025

Herrin, McPeak, Shepard & Ketchie in Johnson City has announced a new firm name as attorneys Hunter S. Shepard and Rebecca J. Ketchie join K. Erickson Herrin and Samuel K. McPeak as partners, according to a news release. Shepard, a Johnson City native, focuses on local government and law enforcement defense in civil rights litigation, while Ketchie brings experience in local government representation and civil litigation and is a Tennessee Supreme Court listed Rule 31 family law mediator. In addition, Thomas J. Garland and Jeffrey M. Ward will join the firm in January 2026, adding decades of experience in government defense, civil litigation and mediation. Garland has practiced for nearly 40 years and published works on federal discrimination law. Ward, a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, is a Rule 31 mediator and member of the Tennessee ADR Commission. The firm said it looks forward to continuing more than 40 years of service to the region.