John is immediate past President of Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell, P.L.C. and has been associated with the Firm since receiving his Doctor of Jurisprudence, with honors, in 1983 from the University of Tennessee College of Law.  Mr. Burleson is a Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator and has extensive experience in employment matters and has successfully defended public and private employers in state and federal courts.  He is a graduate of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy’s trial advocacy skills program and has used his skills to procure successful jury verdicts for his clients. In addition to his extensive trial experience, he also regularly advises clients in regard to employment related matters in the areas of compliance with Title VII, ADEA, ADA, the Tennessee Human Rights Act, and other state and federal laws.

Since 2008, John has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the specialty of Workers’ Compensation Law and Employment Law-Management.   He also has the distinction of having an AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Community Involvement

Former Chairman of Board, University School of Jackson

Deacon & Sunday School teacher, Englewood Baptist Church

Recent Publications and Speaking Engagements

• October 23, 2020 — West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference; Topic: “Bobbing for Apples and the ADA Interactive Process”
• November 5, 2019 — West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference; Topic: “Grab Your Cape! It’s Time for Disciplinary Actions”
• May 1, 2019 — West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference; Topic: “Top FMLA Tips”
• November 7, 2018 — West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference; Topic: “Circling the Wagons! Employment Law Update”
• May 1, 2018 — West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference; Topic: “Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace”
• November 1, 2017 — West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference; Topic: “Happy Trails: Age in the Workplace”
• May 10, 2017 – West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference; Topic: “Managing Terminations”
• November 2, 2016 – West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference; Topic: Ports of Call:  HR Case Studies
• November 3, 2015 – West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference; Topic: Employment Issues and the Military
• May 6, 2015 — West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference; Topic: “The Big Game: Exploring the Anatomy of an Employment Lawsuit”
• November 12, 2014 – West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference; Topic: – Lion Tamer: FMLA – Don’t Get Bitten”
• May 14, 2014 – West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference; Topic: “When Laws Collide: The Intersection of ADA, FMLA and Workers’ Comp”, “Hammering out the ADA Interactive Process”
• March 18, 2014 – Volunteer SHRM Employment Law Seminar; Topic “Americans with Disabilities Act”
• November 6, 2013 – Employment Law Seminar sponsored by Rainey, Kizer, Reviere, & Bell, PLC; Topic: “Workers’ Compensation Reform Update”
• June 24, 2013 – Tennessee Municipal Attorneys Association; Topic: “Update on Police Liability”
• November 2012 – Employment Law Conference sponsored by RKRB & West Tennessee Society for Human Resource Management; Topic: Managing Leaves of Absences
• October 2012 – West TN Business Medical Advisory Council Conference speaker; Topic: “Workers’ Compensation Legislative Updates”
• May 2012 – Employment Law Conference sponsored by RKRB & West Tennessee Society for Human Resource Management; Topic: “Performance Management”
• October 2011 – West Tennessee Medical Advisory Council; Topic: “Workers Compensation Legislation Update”
• November 2011 – Employment Law Conference sponsored by RKRB & West Tennessee Society for Human Resource Management; Topic: “Legal Guide to Hiring”

Representative/Published Cases

• Cooper v. Jackson-Madison County General Hosp. Dist., 742 F.Supp.2d 941 (W.D.Tenn. September 28, 2010)
• Lakeland Commons, L.P. v. Town Of Lakeland, 2010 WL 2075363 (Tenn.Ct.App. May 25, 2010)
• Hullom v. City of Jackson, Tenn., 2010 WL 1068232 (W.D.Tenn. March 24, 2010)
• Hullom v. City of Jackson, Tennessee, 620 F.Supp.2d 895 (W.D. Tenn. 2009)
• Hayes v. City of Lexington, 334 S.W.3d 207 (Tenn.Ct.App. November 12, 2009)
• Lynn v. City Jackson, Tennessee, 63 S.W.3d 332 (Tenn. 2001)
• Tally v. Virginia Insurance Reciprocal, 775 S.W.2d 587 (Tenn. 1989).
• Cloninger v. City Of Dyersburg, 2004 WL 1933399 (Tenn. Workers Comp. Panel August 31, 2004)
• Cunningham v. Reid, 337 F.Supp.2d 1064 (W.D.Tenn. July 13, 2004)
• Jones v. City of Jackson, 335 F.Supp.2d 865 (W.D.Tenn. December 05, 2003)
• Pinnix v. Pollock, 338 F.Supp.2d 885 (W.D.Tenn. April 05, 2004)