Donald R. Rhea

Donald R. Rhea is a partner at The Rhea Firm in Gadsden, Alabama, representing clients in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and benefit-related matters. His practice is substantially devoted to litigation, with experience in both trial and appellate proceedings. He joined the firm in 1981 and has handled cases involving workplace injuries and civil disputes, serving individuals and organizations across Northeast Alabama through a longstanding legal practice.

Donald earned a B.A. from the University of Alabama in 1977 and an M.A. from the same university in 1978. He received his J.D. from The University of Alabama School of Law in 1980. He was admitted to the Alabama bar in 1981. His federal admissions include the Northern District of Alabama and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Donald’s representative appellate work includes workers’ compensation cases involving Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Waffle House, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, and Landstar Ranger. His client experience includes labor organizations, law enforcement associations, and county sheriffs. He has also taught legal seminars addressing workers’ compensation decisions, functional capacity evaluations, preexisting conditions, and appeals. This work combines case representation with practical discussion of recurring issues in injury-related litigation.

Donald R. Rhea has served as president of the Etowah County Bar Association and chair of the Alabama State Bar’s Workers’ Compensation Section. His professional service also includes participation in the Alabama Association for Justice Executive Committee and service as a State Bar Commissioner. He has contributed to the Peoples Law School and written on premises liability, extending his legal work through professional education and public service.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, The Rhea Firm
• Commissioner, Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, Alabama State Bar (2012 – Present)
• Past Chairman, Workers’ Compensation Section, Alabama State Bar
• Past President, Etowah County Bar Association
• Member, Executive Committee, Alabama Association of Justice (1991 – Present)
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Etowah County Inns of Court
• Member, Peoples Law School

Licensed State

• Alabama

Education

• The University of Alabama School of Law, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  Master of Arts (MA)
• University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges