William Burgin Hawkins III Send an email
Phone: (615) 726-0050
Fax: (615) 726-5177

William Burgin Hawkins III

A founding partner at Jones Hawkins & Farmer, PLC, Mr. Hawkins has more than a decade of experience representing clients in a wide range of litigation matters. His areas of practice include business and commercial litigation, personal injury, worker compensation, FINRA arbitrations, wage and hour matters (FLSA), and probate. He handles state and federal criminal defense, including investigations by agencies of both individuals and corporations. Mr. Hawkins handles condemnation matters for those land owners who become the subject of such takings. Mr. Hawkins handles environmental cases where individuals and businesses become the subject of investigations or litigation involving state or federal environmental regulatory agencies. Mr. Hawkins handles selected domestic cases. Mr. Hawkins represents both plaintiffs and defendants, individuals and businesses.

Mr. Hawkins began his legal career in 1999 as law clerk for Judge Thomas W. Brothers in the 20th Judicial District of Tennessee. He then worked for the venerable Nashville law firm of Willis & Knight. Early in his career he honed his litigation and appellate skills while working for two of the most well respected attorneys in Nashville, Bill Willis and Al Knight.

He joined Ken Jones in 2003 and while working with Mr. Jones, the two had a thriving litigation practice which included various types of business and commercial litigation, along with personal injury work. Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Jones and Mr. Jonathan Farmer formed Jones Hawkins & Farmer in 2008.

Mr. Hawkins represents business and individual clients, both plaintiffs and defendants, in various types of contract disputes ranging from employment agreements to real estate contracts. Mr. Hawkins represents both employees and employers in wage and hour cases and investigations conducted by the Department of Labor. Mr. Hawkins represents clients of brokers and has represented brokers in FINRA matters. Mr. Hawkins represents real estate brokers and firms in lawsuits filed against them.  He represents businesses and individuals in employment contract disputes.

Mr. Hawkins represents clients investigated by and charged with state and federal crimes. He has represented clients who have been investigated by various state and local agencies. He handles DUI and misdemeanor cases in state court as well.

Mr. Hawkins’ personal injury and worker compensation practice has resulted in millions of dollars of judgments and settlements for his clients, including a $3.338 million dollar jury award in federal court for an individual client against one of the world’s largest corporations. He enjoys leveling the playing field for those injured or aggrieved.

Mr. Hawkins has presented continuing legal education seminars on both criminal law and worker compensation.

Mr. Hawkins is married to Brooke Porter Hawkins, a former art teacher at Kipp Academy, a Nashville Charter School.  Ms. Porter Hawkins now operates a family business in Lebanon, Tennessee.

When not working, Mr. Hawkins enjoys boating and working on his farm in Dickson County.

Mr. Hawkins is a native of Sumner County.

Education:

  • Mississippi College School of Law, Jackson, Mississippi, 1999, J.D.
    • Dean’s Student Advisory Committee
    • Senator, Law Student Body Association
    • Chairman, Pro Bono Organization
    • Vice Chair, Keady Inn Chapter of Phi Delta Phi
  • Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 1995, B.A. Political Science
  • The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina, August 1991-May 1992.

Association Memberships:

  • Harry Phillips American Inns of Courts, Associate Member, 2003-2005
  • Exchange Club of Nashville, Board of Directors 2005-2008
  • Richland – West End Neighborhood Association, Board of Directors 2005-2008
  • Nashville Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Board of Directors 2000-2004
  • TACDL – Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Practice Areas:

Civil Litigation; Criminal Defense; Commercial Litigation; Business Disputes; Securities Litigation and Arbitration; Commercial Arbitration; Intellectual Property; Real Estate Litigation; Internal Corporate Investigations; Regulatory Agency Investigations and Proceedings; Environmental Law; Professional Negligence Defense; Criminal Investigations; Condemnation proceedings; Probate Litigation; Non-Competition Agreements; Personal Injury; Worker Compensation

Admissions:

  • Tennessee, 1999
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2000