09/11/2026
Please join us in welcoming Jim Hivner to the Douglass & Runger team!
Jim joins our firm as a Business Law Attorney, bringing more than 30 years of legal, business, financial, and judicial experience to his practice. After more than a decade serving Tennessee’s appellate courts, Jim is returning to private practice, where he will help business owners and individuals navigate complex legal and financial matters.
Jim began his legal career in private practice, with experience spanning business and corporate matters, taxation, estate planning, probate, and litigation. He later served as Chief Administrative Officer of the Shelby County Chancery Court before being appointed Clerk of the Supreme Court of Tennessee and Tennessee’s appellate courts. Before becoming an attorney, he worked as an accountant with NASA and earned his CPA certification, giving him a unique perspective on the business and financial considerations that often shape important legal decisions.
Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with high honors from the University of Tennessee before earning his J.D. and LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Alabama School of Law.
Outside the office, Jim enjoys:
🏈 Following his alma maters' sports teams
👨👩👧👦 Spending time with his wife, Brenda, their children, and extended family
🐕 Time with their beloved dog, Max
We're excited to have Jim on our team and look forward to the experience, perspective, and dedication he'll bring to the business owners and individuals we serve.
Welcome to the team! 🎉
