Burke Keaty

Todd is an experienced commercial real estate lawyer with a focus on representing developers, builders, and banks. He provides comprehensive legal counsel on land acquisition, project financing, and commercial lease agreements.

David G. Thompson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Corporate Law. David G., who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John (Jack) T. Reese has been practicing law in Nashville and throughout the state of Tennessee since 1993. He focuses his practice areas on litigation, primarily professional liability/healthcare liability for medical providers and institutions, product liability, premises liability, and general insurance defense. He has also handled multiple personal injury cases in other areas including personal injury, wrongful death, drug and medical device litigation, and probate matters. Mr. Reese was ...

Ryan practices complex commercial litigation. Among other high-stakes business disputes, he has recently litigated covenants not to compete and trade secrets, commercial real estate transactions, contract disputes, business torts, and shareholder and corporate-governance issues. In 2025, Ryan was named the “Lawyer of the Year” in Nashville for real estate litigation. Ryan’s practice includes antitrust litigation, in which he represents large corporate clients in courts aroun...

Bruce Buchanan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Bruce, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bruce is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kendra Samson is a partner in Barton’s Nashville office. Kendra advises clients on how to avoid costly litigation, with a practice focused on employment law and commercial litigation. She believes the most effective legal counsel begins with building strong relationships—taking the time to understand a client’s business, their people, and their unique challenges. By investing in that knowledge, Kendra is able to craft practical, business-focused strategies that aim to resolv...

Matthew R. Burnstein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Matthew R., who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

I. C. (Jack) Waddey, Jr. is co-founder and senior attorney at the Firm, instrumental in its growth from three lawyers to 15 patent professionals in 20 years. He represents clients as an adviser in developing their intellectual property portfolios, as a patent and trademark advocate, and as mentor to start-up organizations. He is trained, certified and active locally, regionally and nationally as a mediator. He is listed as an approved Rule 31 Mediator by the Supreme Court of the State of Tenn...

Joe’s practice is focused on federal, state and local taxation, including planning and controversy resolution. Joe has represented clients successfully before the Tennessee tax administrative bodies and before Tennessee courts, including the Tennessee Supreme Court. Joe represents a number of Fortune 500 companies with respect to their Tennessee tax matters. Joe also represents clients in federal tax controversy resolution, including administrative appeals and representation before the ...

Gayle Malone, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Gayle, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 1997. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gayle is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.