Meet Our Great LawyersPatti Jane Lay

Patti Jane was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and grew up in Deane Hill.
At Webb School of Knoxville, Patti Jane earned the honor of Salutatorian
and traveled to Atlanta, Georgia for her undergraduate studies. Patti Jane
graduated from the honors program at Emory University with a double major in political science
and English. In 1979, she graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law where she
was a member of Law Review and Moot Court. After her bar admission, Patti Jane became a
shareholder with Kennerly, Montgomery, and Finley, P.C. where she practiced in the areas of
products liability and civil defense. In 1995, Patti Jane started her own law firm and developed a
family, probate, and mediation practice. Her husband, John Thomas Baugh, and her three
children currently live in Knoxville. Patti Jane enjoys tennis, pickleball, and playing with her
English Labrador Retriever (Dusti).

AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Family Law
- Collaborative Divorce
- Mediation (Rule 31 Licensed)
- Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning
- Probate and Trust Administration
- General Civil Litigation

BAR ADMISSIONS
- Tennessee
- United States District Court-Eastern District of Tennessee
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

EDUCATION
- Webb School of Knoxville ’73, Salutatorian
- Emory University ’76, B.A., Political Science, English, Cum Laude
- University of Tennessee College of Law ‘79, J.D.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
- Knoxville Bar Association
- Tennessee Bar Association
- American Inns of Court, Master, Hamilton-Burnett Inn
- Association of Tennessee Defense Lawyers, 1988-1998
- University of Tennessee College of Law’s Dean Advisory Council, 1995-2015
- LMU Duncan School of Law Dean’s Advisory Council, 2009-2016
- East TN Collaborative Alliance, 4 year President, 2014-present
- Rule 31 Approved Family and Civil Mediator, 1997-present
- Tennessee Valley Fair, Board Member, 2018-present

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
- Tennessee Mediation Pilot Program-Knox County Fourth Circuit Court, 1995
- Collaborative Divorce Training, 2014
- Special Master in Knox County Fourth Circuit Court, 2004-2017
- KBA Chairperson for Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, 2010
- Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Tennessee Bar Association
- Knoxville Bar Association Judiciary Committee, 2012 to present