Faculty Profile: Donna Mikel

Donna has practiced employment law and litigation since graduating with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2000. She spent the first part of her career representing employers on topics such as wage and hour issues, termination considerations, and litigation strategies in a wide array of lawsuits. Donna's practice then shifted in 2007 to representing primarily employees and their rights in the workplace.  Donna has first chaired or co-chaired a number of jury trials in state and federal court and has earned multi-million dollar verdicts for her clients as a result. Due to her wisdom acquired from representing both sides in litigation, Donna has also developed a successful mediation practice.  She loves to help people find practical solutions for their employment dilemmas.  

Donna grew up and attended college in Great Falls, Montana, earning a B.S. in Criminal Justice, summa cum laude.  Donna went to law school at the University of Georgia, graduating magna cum laude and as a member of the Order of the Coif.

Practice Areas

• Employment Law
• Employment Discrimination
• Fair Labor Standards Act
• Disability Law/Family and Medical Leave Act
• Sexual Harassment and Discrimination/Equal Pay Act
• Retaliation Cases
• Age and Race Discrimination
• Federal Criminal Defense
• Civil Litigation
• Covenants Not to Compete Litigation
• EEOC/OFCCP Proceedings

Donna's recent awards include:

• 2019 Lawyer of the Year- Litigation--Labor & Employment, Best Lawyers in America
• Rated AV, Preeminent, Martindale Hubbell
• Named in Mid South SuperLawyers and Best Lawyers in America for labor and employment
• Client Rating 5.0 out of 5.0, Martindale Hubbell
• Recipient, Federal Bar Association Bill Carter Civility Award, 2019 

Additionally, Donna has held the following offices:

• Federal Bar Association, Circuit Vice President—6th Circuit
• Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association--President, Past President, Government Liaison, Civics Coordinator, Editor
• Tennessee Bar Association Labor and Employment Council, Chair (2018-2019) and Member
• Member, District Civics Committee, Eastern District of Tennessee
• Member, CJA Panel Selection Committee, U.S. District Court, Eastern District Tennessee, 2016-2019
• Barrister Member, The Justices Ray L. Brock Jr. Robert E. Cooper American Inn of Court
• Member, Tennessee Employment Lawyers Association

Recently Published Cases

Moates v. Hamilton County Register of Deeds, 2013 WL 5568723 (E.D. Tenn. 2013)

Williams v. WTCI, 349 S.W. 3d 501 (Tenn Ct. App. 2011)

White v. MPW, Inc., 236 F.R.D. 363 (E.D. Tenn. 2006)

Herring v. SCTI Tennessee Funeral Services, LLC, 2018 WL 2406008 (ED Tenn 2018)

Hunter v. City of Copperhill, Tenn., 2013 5278673 (ED Tenn 2013)

Abbott v. Chattanooga Hamilton County Hospital Auth., 2013 WL 12171722 (ED Tenn. 2013).