John T. McArthur was born in Maryville, Tennessee in 1951. He graduated from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services. In 1983 He graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law where he was a member of the Moot Court Board and a semi-finalist in the College of Law Advocates Prize.

John joined Kizer & Black, Attorneys in 1983. His areas of practice include general civil litigation, construction litigation, collections, employment law, personal injury and worker's compensation law. He has spoken extensively to employers and business groups regarding state and federal regulations pertaining to wage and hour, discrimination and employment issues. He has made numerous presentations regarding construction law issues and the Tennessee lien statute to trade groups including contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers.

He has served as the President of the Blount County Bar Association (1992), as a Hearing Committee Member of the Tennessee Supreme Court's Board of Professional Responsibility (1999-2005) and as a Director of the Knoxville Legal Aid Society Board of Directors (1993-2000). He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association and the Blount County Bar Association. He is active in community organizations having served on the Board of Alternatives for Blount County, former Chairman of the Blount County Foster Care Review Board, local Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration committee, American Field Service (foreign exchange program) volunteer, Habitat For Humanity volunteer and numerous church and Boy Scout organizations.