Virginia Couch

Couch’s firm, Holifield Janich Rachal Ferrera, PLLC, repeatedly represented WH Administrators, a benefits company later found by the U.S. Department of Labor to have run a “sham healthcare arrangement.” WH Administrators diverted $28 million in unpaid claims and left hundreds of employees with medical bills in collections.

Defended WH Administrators in Tennessee after being banned from Mississippi.
Mississippi regulators had already issued a cease-and-desist order citing “grave concern” over the company’s conduct, yet Couch’s firm continued to represent them in Tennessee litigation, where the firm helped enforce arbitration to avoid trial in a case involving $800,000 in unpaid claims owed to a local John Deere dealership.
Couch represented General Media Communications, Inc., owner of Penthouse, in a 2004 lawsuit against Penthouse Escorts. Her client argued that the escort service tarnished Penthouse’s “valuable reputation and goodwill.” The case sought to protect a porn brand from association with local sex traffickers and resulted in a $5,000 settlement and permanent injunction against the escort service.

Couch’s firm defended Dollywood after a Native American employee alleged discrimination and racist remarks by a coworker. Dollywood’s HR investigation confirmed that the coworker used the N-word to describe guests, yet he only received a three-day suspension and was transferred. Couch’s firm successfully defended Dollywood, arguing the employee voluntarily left his job.

Couch’s firm represented Teresa Barringer, later convicted in federal court of wire fraud, tax evasion, and lying to federal agents after stealing over $2.4 million from her employer. The firm defended her in civil suits alleging embezzlement, forgery, and money laundering.

Couch owns Barkside Lodge, where an employee allegedly stole a client’s dog’s Xanax prescription. Other customer reviews claimed dogs returned underfed, aggressive, coughing, or injured, citing poor management and employee negligence.

Couch’s campaign made two contributions ($25 each) to the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) — one of the most liberal PACs in the country, aligned with Elizabeth Warren, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Ilhan Omar, supporting policies like the Green New Deal and Medicare for All.

Despite running as a Democrat, Couch’s voting record shows 6 Republican primary votes and only 5 Democratic primary votes since 1998 — including voting Republican during Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns. Her most recent Republican vote was in 2018.