Education

  • J.D., Belmont University College of Law
  • B.A., University of Tennessee

Bar Admissions

  • Tennessee

Publications

  • Protecting Defendants’ Sixth Amendment Right to Effective Counsel During the Plea Process: Why and How the Strickland Prejudice Requirement Must Change in the New Era of Pleas, 1 BELMONT L. J. 1, 151-74 (2025)

Professional Activities

  • Nashville Bar Association
  • Tennessee Bar Association

Civic Activities

  • Young Life (Volunteer Leader, 2019-2026)
  • Midtown Fellowship Church (Member)

Caroline earned her J.D. from Belmont University College of Law.  At Belmont, Caroline received full tuition as a Bruin Scholar, served as Managing Editor of the Belmont Law Journal, and worked as a Research Fellow for Professor Lucian Dervan and the National Plea Bargaining Institute. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Child & Family Studies.

Her professional interests include general civil litigation, business torts, contract disputes, and claims involving non-competition agreements, white collar criminal defense and investigations, and theft of trade secrets.

 

Recent News

Best Law Firms Recognizes Sims|Funk in Five Categories

Sims|Funk has received three top tier rankings in the 17th Edition (2027) of U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms.” Tier 1 “Bet-the-Company” Litigation Tier 1 Commercial Litigation Tier 1 Criminal Defense: White-Collar Tier 1 Litigation- Securities Tier 3 Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Firms are recognized for professional […]

Schott Selected for NBF Leadership Forum Class of 2027

Sims|Funk attorney Cole Schott is one of a select group of 21 attorneys participating in the Nashville Bar Foundation Leadership Forum (NBFLF). This program, designed for attorneys in their first three to eight years of practice, focuses on developing leadership skills and addressing local legal and community issues through monthly workshops and activities. The NBFLF […]

Eleven Sims|Funk Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers

Eleven Sims|Funk attorneys have been recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.  Notably, Samuel P. Funk has been named the 2027 “Lawyer of the Year” in Trade Secrets Law for Nashville, one of the highest individual honors Best Lawyers® bestows, given to only one lawyer per practice area, per metro region. […]

Sims|Funk Recognized in 2026 Chambers USA Rankings

Once again, Sims|Funk has been recognized in the 2026 Chambers USA Guide for Litigation: General Commercial — with Samuel Funk and W. Scott Sims each ranked Band 1, the highest distinction awarded. This recognition carries special weight because it reflects the voices of our clients and peers. Chambers described our team as “highly professional, knowledgeable […]

Sims|Funk Successfully Defends Am Law 100 Firm

The United States Circuit Court for the Sixth Circuit recently affirmed summary judgment obtained by Sims|Funk attorneys Scott Sims, Michael O’Neill and Erik Lybeck in a legal malpractice action against an Am Law 100 firm where the “case within the case” involved complex breach of fiduciary duty claims under Delaware law.  This win continues Sims|Funk’s […]