TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Sep 9, 2020

Knoxville lawyer John David “J.D.” Lee, the uncle of Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee, died Monday at the age of 91. A 1954 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, Lee first practiced law in Madisonville but later moved to Knoxville. He maintained a nationwide trial practice, focusing on wrongful death, medical malpractice, personal injury and defective products. He was a pioneer in bringing suits against tobacco companies and was part of the legal team representing Sept. 11 victims in lawsuits against Iran. Lee was president of every major national trial lawyers group as well as the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association and the Monroe County Bar Association. He was also active politically. Lee was president of the 1977 Tennessee Constitutional Convention and sought the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in 1978. A memorial service will be held for family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the J.D. Lee Scholarship Fund c/o Tennessee Judicial Conference Foundation, 629 Woodland St., Nashville TN 37206. Donations are used for scholarships at the University of Tennessee College of Law.