Michael H. Meares was born in Maryville, Tennessee in 1956.  He graduated from Duke University in 1977 and Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1983. At Vanderbilt he was a member of the 1982 International Moot Court Team which won the Southern Regional Competition and went on to the National Competition in Washington D.C. where Mike placed 5th nationally.

 

Mike began his legal career in Miami, Florida where he practiced with Shutts & Bowen Attorneys representing a variety of life and health insurance companies and providers.  He returned to his home town where he worked with his brother, Rom Meares, Jr. in the firm of Meares, Morton, Meares & Ansley representing injured plaintiffs in negligence, malpractice and products liability cases.

 

In 1989 Mike was appointed by Governor Ned McWherter to establish the indigent criminal defense office for the Fifth Judicial District in Blount County. Mike served as District Public Defender until 1990 when he left public office and established with Charles Dungan the private firm of Dungan and Meares. Mike was again honored in public service to fill an unexpired term as Circuit Court Judge in Blount County. After unsuccessfully seeking election as a Blount County Democrat, Mike returned to private practice at what is now Dungan, Meares & Webb.

 

Mike’s areas of practice include general civil and criminal litigation, wrongful death, and probate.

 

He is a member of the Tennessee, Knox and Blount County Bar Associations.