Mr. Godbold is a Chattanooga native and Baylor School alumnus. He is a proud parent of twin boys. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Tennessee where he graduated with high honors and was recognized as an “Unsung Hero” for exceptional contributions to campus life by the Dean of Students. While in law school at the University of Memphis, Mr. Godbold was elected as a Bar Governor, was the Mock Trial Champion, and received the Dean’s Service Award.
Mr. Godbold is a Member of the firm based in the Chattanooga office. He maintains a diverse litigation practice and routinely litigates personal injury and property claims; product liability; professional liability; premises liability; construction; and estate claims. Mr. Godbold also maintains a commercial pilot’s license, is an active flight instructor, and enjoys applying this unique background to complex aviation disputes and aircraft transactions. In addition to handling claims related to insured risks and insurance coverage disputes, Mr. Godbold has also successfully handled multiple six-figure plaintiffs’ cases ranging from personal injury, breach of contract, and employment matters.
Mindful of the challenges facing small-business owners, Mr. Godbold has litigated a myriad of contractual matters ranging from landlord-tenant and other real estate matters to partnership dissolution disputes. Mr. Godbold has experience litigating probate and conservatorship matters.
Honors and Awards
• Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch (Construction Law, Insurance Law, and Professional Malpractice Law, 2021-2022)
• Tennessee Supreme Court, Attorney for Justice 2020
Community Involvement
• Moccasin Flying Club (Past President) – one of the nation’s longest-running flying clubs.
• Volunteer Pilot: Angel Flight
• Volunteer Pilot: Challenge Air for Kids
• Executive Board, Chapter 150 of the Experimental Aircraft Association (2015-2017)
• Board of Directors, Horse Creek Farms HOA (2014-2017).
• Guest speaker at the 2016 Leadership and Law Academy, hosted by City Attorney Wade Hinton
• In addition to serving as the Volunteer Coordinator for the 2014 Hamilton County High School Mock Trial Competition, Mr. Godbold has also served as a juror during several competitive rounds.
• Co-Editor of the “When You Become 18” Handbook, distributed to high school students by the Chattanooga Bar Association.
• Mr. Godbold has also volunteered his time and aircraft in support of local non-profits including the Orange Grove Center, the Chattanooga Food Bank, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, the Rome Film Festival, among other organizations.
Professional Affiliations
• Tennessee Bar Association
• Chattanooga Bar Association (Young Lawyers Division)
• American Inns of Court
• Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association
• Defense Research Institute
• Lawyer - Pilots Bar Association
