Attorneys

Apperson Crump, PLC

Our firm enjoys an of counsel relationship with the law firm of Apperson Crump PLC.  Apperson Crump is a full service law firm representing and advising clients in the areas of  Real Estate, Banking and Mortgage Based Financing, Corporate, Litigation, Probate and Trust Administration, Elder law, Tax and Estate Planning, Bankruptcy, Family Law and Immigration.  If you need help in one of these areas, please contact our office.

Dennis Sossaman

Dennis J. Sossaman is of counsel to the firm and has practiced law with us for six of his twenty one years of practice.  He was formerly a partner in the firm of Lucas, Thompson, Ryan and Sossaman before joining our firm.  Dennis' work in the area of family law allows us the opportunity to offer our firm's clients expanded legal resources outside our area of expertise.

Dennis J. Sossaman's practice focuses primarily on divorce, custody litigation, support disputes and Juvenile Court issues in Memphis and surrounding counties.  He is a frequent lecturer in Memphis at required legal seminars on these topics.  What that means to you is you can hire the attorney who teaches other attorneys how to be divorce attorneys and the laws that apply in this state.  Dennis is past Chairperson of the Divorce and Family Law Section of the Tennessee Bar Association, and past President of the Memphis Bar Association Divorce and Family Law Section.  He has previously served numerous times as a Special Judge in the Shelby County General Sessions, Circuit and Chancery Courts.  He is a lifelong resident of Shelby County and earned his undergraduate degree from Rhodes College and his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Memphis where he was President of the Student Bar Association and in Who's Who Among American Law Students.

Paul W. Stewart, BBA, MA, JD

Paul Stewart has thirty years' experience in transportation and logistics law, including having served as General Counsel to one of the largest transportation/logistics companies in the country for 17 years and 12 years in private practice representing shipping, transport, warehousing, and third-party logistics companies.  Throughout his career, Paul has participated in evolving the logistics industry and transportation law through strategic management, litigation, commercial transactions, negotiation, lectures, and writing about contemporary issues in the field.  In addition to having  served as Chief Legal Officer to three national logistics companies, Paul also served as CEO of 4E Logistics from start-up to sale (2007–2010).  This means that Paul knows logistics both from the perspective of an AV-rated lawyer in the sector for 30 years and from the pragmatic perspective of a CEO who is accountable to investors.

Paul has spoken frequently to industry professional organizations, Logistics and the Law Forums, has authored articles and commentaries for industry publications, law reviews, and the Transportation Lawyer Journal, and has taught Logistics and Business Law as an adjunct professor at the University of Memphis. 

Click here to see Paul's Publications, Honors and Awards

Wage and Hour Compliance Advisor, Van E. Craft*

Van E. Craft* is the Wage & Hour Compliance Advisor for the law firm.  Mr. Craft retired from the U. S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division after serving over 35 years as an Investigator and Manager.  During his career, he received many awards, such as the Secretary’s Distinguished Career Service Award and several Secretary’s Exceptional Achievement Awards and Performance Awards.  He served as the District Criminal Coordinator and was a mentor and instructor in numerous on-the-job training sessions and formal class room training for new investigators and technicians.  His work involved all the laws administered by the Federal Wage and Hour Division, including the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Davis Bacon Act/Service Act/Contract Work Hours and Safety Act (government contact wage standards laws), Wage Garnishment Law, Employee Polygraph Protection Act, etc.  Mr. Craft also drafted training materials and opinion letters for the Division.

Mr. Craft received his B. S. in Business Administration Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.  After graduation, he obtained his Private Pilot’s License.  He is a listed Tennessee State Supreme Court Rule 31 Civil Mediator.

*Mr. Craft is a non-attorney consultant to the firm.