Clerkship
- Hon. Harry W. Wellford (Ret.), United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Selected Experience
- Defense of partner in $100 million real estate development venture against former partner’s claims of fraud, breach of representations and warranties, breach of fiduciary duty, and securities violations
- Representation of LLC members and other closely-held business owners in internal disputes and business “divorces”
- Representation of employers and employees in non-compete and trade secrets litigation in healthcare, financial services, accounting, entertainment, commercial equipment leasing, IT staffing, and other industries
- Representation of minority shareholders in dissenters’ rights/oppression actions
- Defense of Am Law 100 and 200 firms in legal malpractice actions arising out of complex business and commercial disputes
- Representation of owners, buyers, and sellers of commercial and residential real estate in contract and other property-related disputes
- Representation of commercial landlords and tenants in lease disputes
- Representation of private equity firms in accounting malpractice claim against portfolio company auditors
- Defense of director and officer of affiliated insurance companies against negligence and breach of fiduciary claims stemming from fraud scheme by company insider
- Representation of national healthcare company in breach of contract action following sale of Florida hospital
- Representation of anesthesiologist in breach of fiduciary duty action against former chief manager of practice group
- Defense of commercial landfill owner against odor and particulate nuisance claims and attacks on validity of solid waste permit
- Defense of trailer manufacturing company owner against copyright infringement and fraud claims
- Representation of foreign insurance market in domestication and enforcement of English judgments against Tennessee investors
- Defense of local teaching hospital and other healthcare providers in medical malpractice lawsuits
- Representation of commercial real estate owners in eminent domain proceedings
- Defense of property owners in wrongful death action arising from drowning of minor
- Defense of international shipping company in lawsuits arising out of tractor-trailer collisions
Honors & Awards
- Best Lawyers in America (Bet-The-Company Litigation 2015-20; Commercial Litigation 2012-20)
- Top 100 Lawyers in Mid-South (Mid-South Super Lawyers 2015-2019)
- Top 50 Lawyers in Nashville (Mid-South Super Lawyers 2017-2019)
- Mid-South Super Lawyers (Business Litigation 2011-19)
- “AV” Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Activities
- Nashville Bar Association (President, 2008; President-Elect/Chair of Executive Director Search Committee, 2007; Director, 2004-07)
- Tennessee Judicial Nominating Commission (2009-13)
- Governor’s Commission for Judicial Appointments (2013-14)
- Tennessee Advisory Commission on The Rules of Practice and Procedure (2018-present)
- Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization (2015-17)
- Tennessee Bar Association (Middle Tennessee Governor, 2016-17)
- Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law program (Inaugural Class Member, 2004; Steering Committee Member, 2013-16)
- Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility (Hearing Committee Member, 2009-12)
- Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (Middle Tennessee Governor, 2003)
- Nashville Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (President, 2002; Director, 1997-02)
- Harry Phillips American Inn of Court (Barrister, 2008-12)
Civic Activities
- West End Community Church (Elder, 2010-present; Capital Campaign Chair, 2011; Member, 2005-present)
- African Transformational Leadership (Board Vice-Chair, 2013-present)
- Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) (Director, 2009-12)
- YMCA Community Action Project (Y-CAP) (Director, 1999-2003; “We Build People” Campaign Chair, 2002)
- Young Life (Volunteer Leader, 1988-91 (Downers Grove, IL))