Steve Darden - Kingsport, TN
Attorney at Hunter, Smith & Davis, LLP
Employment Law Lawyers in Kingsport, TN
1212 North Eastman Road Kingsport, TN 37664
- Free Consultation
Kingsport Employment Law Lawyer
Updated: 03/02/2026
Areas of Practice
- Employment Law
- Mediation
- Civil Litigation
Attorney Information
Overview
Mr. Darden is a trusted advisor and strategist to businesses, non-profits and individuals. As an across-the-board employment law practitioner, he defends employers and their Employment Practices Liability Insurance carriers (if applicable) in lawsuits and before administrative agencies. Such cases involve claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage and hour entitlement, and workplace safety.
Mr. Darden also maintains a traditional labor relations practice. He acts as a client spokesperson in collective bargaining negotiations, handles arbitrations and unfair labor practice charge proceedings, and advises clients regarding election petitions before the National Labor Relations Board in developing campaign strategy and educational campaigns, consultation regarding employee relations, and maintaining a union-free environment.
Clients are aggressively defended in state, federal, and appellate courts on various employment disputes. Mr. Darden represents clients in labor and employment administrative matters before state and federal agencies, including:
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- National Labor Relations Board
- U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- U.S. Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
- Tennessee Human Rights Commission
- Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
With his strong advocacy, analytical, and communication skills combined with his labor relations experience, Mr. Darden a Rule 31 Listed Mediator in Tennessee, and is available to serve as an effective neutral mediator in the employment arena, in business-related matters, and in disputes that could lead to lawsuits or that are already pending in court. He also employs effective mediation advocacy on behalf of clients.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Selected to Tennessee Super Lawyers, 2012-2015, 2017-2020
- Washington County Economic Development Council, founding member
- Board of Commissioners for Johnson City, Tennessee, for three terms including mayor (2005-2007)
Education
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Legal Education
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University of Tennessee College of Law,
Knoxville,
Tennessee, 1985
J.D.
Honors: Law Review member, 1983-1985
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University of Tennessee College of Law,
Knoxville,
Tennessee, 1985
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Non Legal Education
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University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 1982
B.S.
Major: Accounting
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University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 1982
Current Employment Position(s)
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Partner
Classes and Seminars
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“Unequal and Equal Pay – Past and Present,” The Business Journal of Tri-Cities, February 2019
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“2019 Labor & Employment Legal Update,” by Steve Darden, Mike Lattier and Mike Eastridge, Presentation to the Northeast Tennessee Chapter of SHRM, January 24, 2019.
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“Employers Are Still Unsure About the Trump Administration,” The Business Journal of Tri-Cities, March 2017
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“Dress Codes and Appearance Policies: Challenges Under Federal Legislation,” The Health Care Manager, 2014
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“NLRB Holds Election for Northwestern Football Players,” Tennessee Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section, July 2014
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“Federal Contractors Must Now Post Notice of Employee’s Rights to Unionize,” by Stephen M. Darden and Joseph B. Harvey, The Johnson City Business Journal, August 2010.
- “Employer Monitoring of Employees’ Social Networking Activities,” by Stephen M. Darden and Joseph B. Harvey, The Johnson City Business Journal, March 2010.
Bar Admissions
- Tennessee, 1985
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1986
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2011
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1987
- Supreme Court of the United States of America, 1988
Other Affiliations
- Tennessee Bar Association, member
- Washington County Bar Association, former president
- Sullivan County Bar Association, member
- Defense Research Institute (DRI), member
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