Meet Our Attorneys

Criminal Defense and Personal Injury Attorneys – Knoxville and Sevierville

When choosing a criminal defense or personal injury attorney in Tennessee, you want to be sure that you are employing the services of a professional with extensive experience and skill. The attorneys at Baker Associates are energetic attorneys driven by the desire to defend the rights of their clients. Joseph A. Baker and Virginia Jessup Baker have developed impressive reputations as exceptional criminal defense and personal injury attorneys in the Knoxville and Pigeon Forge area. Their intense dedication to their work is born out of their desire to protect the legal rights of each of their clients.

• Joseph A. Baker
• Virginia Jessup Baker
• Travis D. McCarter
• Steven R. Hawkins

Joseph A. Baker

Joseph A. Baker is a graduate of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and the University of Tennessee College of Law. Born and raised in Sevier County, Mr. Baker is well known and respected in the community. He has diverse legal experience as a U.S. Air Force JAG Officer and former prosecutor in the 4th Judicial District of the State of Tennessee. Mr. Baker is a Life Member of both the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, a member of the Tennessee Bar Association and American Bar Association.

After serving as a prosecutor, Joseph A. Baker began his legal practice as a personal injury and criminal defense attorney in Knoxville and Sevierville, Tennessee area. Utilizing his extensive litigation experience and his passion for helping others, Mr. Baker has built a practice dedicated to defending and protecting the rights of individuals throughout Tennessee.  Mr. Baker has successfully defended all types of criminal offenses ranging from DUIs to First Degree Murder. As part of his civil practice, Mr. Baker represents victims in all types of serious injury and wrongful death claims.

He is licensed to practice in Tennessee State and Federal Courts. Mr. Baker also enjoys the distinction of being admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

Mr. Baker is a graduate of the National Criminal Defense College and completed the college's Advanced Cross-Examination Seminar. He is also one of a very few private attorneys who have completed the Tennessee District Attorney's Training Seminar, and is a graduate of the United States Air Force Staff Judge Advocates Course.

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Virginia Jessup Baker

Virginia Jessup Baker grew up in Sevier County the daughter of a local judge. She graduated from Georgetown University and the University of Tennessee College of Law. Prior to entering private practice, Virginia dedicated her life to public service working in the White House, U.S. House of Representatives, and as a criminal prosecutor for the State of Tennessee.

While in law school, Virginia was honored as her class's outstanding advocate in the University of Tennessee Legal Clinic. She is a graduate of the Tennessee New Prosecutor's Training Academy. She worked as a law clerk in the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals focusing on Death Penalty cases.

Virginia is licensed to practice in all Tennessee State Courts. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, Knoxville Bar Association, and Sevier County Bar Association.

Her practice areas include criminal defense, personal injury and domestic matters.

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Travis D. McCarter

Travis D. McCarter is a two-time graduate of the University of Tennessee, having graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 2006 and on the Dean’s List at the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2010. Mr. McCarter prides himself on being a general practitioner, having handled various types of cases ranging from personal injury to complex business litigation to divorce and custody matters. He is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association and the Sevier County Bar Association.

Mr. McCarter is a native and life-long resident of Sevier County and loves the East Tennessee area in which he lives and practices. Mr. McCarter has been with Baker Associates since 2008.

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Steven R. Hawkins

Steven R. Hawkins is a graduate of the University of Tennessee where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree and his Law Degree. Mr. Hawkins was one of the top students in his law class. He has great legal experience in the field of criminal law. Mr. Hawkins was the Research Assistant to Honorable Mark A. Walker, who was the Presiding Judge of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals from 1973-1974. For 37 years, Mr. Hawkins was an Assistant District Attorney prosecuting all matters of cases throughout East Tennessee from 1st degree murder to traffic offenses. He was the Chief Assistant District Attorney for much of his time as a prosecutor. He graduated from many different seminars in the criminal law field. He has taught in various seminars regarding criminal law.

Since July 2011 Mr. Hawkins has been a criminal defense attorney representing numerous clients throughout East Tennessee. He is recognized by Martindale-Hubbell as one of the best attorneys in Tennessee. He is licensed to practice in Tennessee State and Federal Courts. He received the President’s Award as being one of the top prosecutors in Tennessee in 2010. Mr. Hawkins is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Sevier County Bar Association. He was a member of the National District Attorneys Association and the Tennessee District Attorneys Association.

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If you have been charged with a crime or injured as a result of another's negligence, schedule a consultation with an attorney at Baker Associates today.

If you are in need of a qualified and accomplished Sevierville, Tennessee personal injury attorney, complete the form below. We will be in touch with you soon.

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Knox County
2126 First Tennessee Plaza
800 South Gay Street
Knoxville, Tennessee 37929
Phone: 865-521-0001

Sevier County
121 Court Avenue
Sevierville, Tennessee 37862
Phone: 865-428-2888

Washington County
300 East Main Street
Johnson City, Tennessee 37601