Attorneys Mark Litchford and Richard Pearce have left Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison after 25 combined years at the firm and launched a new Chattanooga-based law practice.
Litchford, 40, concentrates on government law, commercial litigation, personal injury, business transactions and criminal defense. He’s also the attorney for the City of East Ridge.
Pearce, 40, maintains a broad legal practice, assisting clients with business transactions, tax planning, estate planning and dispute resolution.
Pearce says the firm will be looking to their clients to help shape their practice. “Our practice will be dictated by our clients. What are their needs? Who do we have an opportunity to work with?” says Pearce.
“We want to be nimble and develop ourselves professionally to suit our clients’ needs. If we’re meeting a lot of developers, then we’re going to learn how to close a real estate deal.”
Litchford and Pearce formed Litchford, Pearce & Associates after leaving Grant Konvalinka in January. Litchford says he was “ready to take the plunge.”
“Richard and I have always wanted to start our own firm,” he says. “I didn’t want to look back in 20 years and wish I’d done it sooner.”
Litchford and Pearce also cite a desire for closer contact with their clients and the ability to have more control over their future as factors in the move.
“We’re tremendously grateful for our time at Grant Konvalinka – the experiences, the knowledge we gained, the people we worked with. But we were ready to be on our own.”
Litchford and Pearce have known each other since they were children. Litchford’s uncle, attorney Lee Maddux, was Pearce’s neighbor on Clayton Road, allowing the two to meet and become acquainted at a young age. They were then in the same class at McCallie School.
Years later, they reunited while working at Grant Konvalinka and became friends.
In 2014, Pearce moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where his wife established a medical practice. He says he has enough “tech savvy” to maintain a significant number of clients in Chattanooga while living two time zones away. “This is where my relationships are,” he says.
Pearce says he will be traveling to Chattanooga several times a year to tend to firm business and meet with clients in person. “About 75% of my work is focused on Chattanooga,” he adds.
Litchford holds a Juris Doctor from Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in Memphis. He’s licensed to practice in Tennessee, Georgia, the Eastern District of Tennessee and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Litchford is involved with the Tennessee Municipal League, the National League of Cities, the Municipal Technical Advisory Service and the Tennessee Municipal Attorneys Association. He also serves on the board of directors for Boyd Buchanan School.
Pearce earned his Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He also holds an MBA from Samford.
Chattanooga native J. Michael Holloway has joined Litchford Pearce as the firm’s first associate. His biography on the firm’s website paints a portrait of a compassionate attorney with a desire to pursue justice.
“Whether you need representation because of a DUI charge or a civil lawsuit, or just need some assistance with estate planning, Michael will take the time to listen to your concerns and take action that’s in your best interest,” the site reads.
Litchford says he and Pearce have discussed adding more associates in the next year. “As we evolve, we’re going invite more attorneys who can evolve to suit our clients’ needs to join us.”
When Litchford isn’t working, he spends time with his wife, Amanda, and their three children. His hobbies include swimming, golfing, traveling and reading.
Pearce is also married and has three children. He and his wife, Christy, enjoy skiing, hiking and playing sports with their kids.
Contact Litchford Pearce at 423 529-5290. Read more at www.lpafirm.com.