Chip Petree

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...

Jennifer Lacey is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Government Relations Practice. Jennifer practices law in Nashville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Jennifer Lacey since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jennifer Lacey is held by other lawyers.

Dewey Branstetter has represented a broad range of individuals and entities, but his practice concentrates on utility and municipal issues; employment matters, including employee benefits issues; and complex litigation. Mr. Branstetter has extensive experience advising and representing utility districts, municipalities, and utility related entities such as Tennessee 811. He recently appeared before the Utility Management Review Board and successfully defended against the first ratepayer petit...

Paige I. Bernick is a shareholder in Lewis Thomason's Nashville office. Paige primarily works with the Transportation Practice Group. Paige also concentrates her practice in complex civil litigation, including gig economy issues, commercial and business disputes, and employment matters. Prior to private practice, Paige served over four years as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor, in Nashville. In that role, she represented the Secretary of Labor in liti...

Colin T. Ferguson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Colin T. practices law in Nashville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Colin T. Ferguson since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Colin T. Ferguson is held by other lawyers.

Tom Trent has experience in all areas of real estate transactions, including industrial development and economic incentives, leasing, corporate, joint venture, partnership and limited liability company law, and tax-exempt finance. Tom represents clients regionally and nationally, including major manufacturing companies, corporate users of commercial real estate, institutional investors, developers and lenders, and a number of foreign corporations. With more than 30 years of experience in real...

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...

Mike Brent's practice focuses primarily on business law, where he represents clients in a wide range of transactional, regulatory and operational matters. Although his practice includes clients in a variety of industries, he places an emphasis on the representation of health care providers (both for-profit and not-for-profit) and investors, especially those involved in the long term care and senior housing industries, as well as lenders to the health care community. He has represented numerou...

Todd Presnell is a trial lawyer licensed in Georgia and Tennessee who represents major corporations, small businesses, governmental entities, tax-exempt organizations, and individuals in their litigation-related needs. Mr. Presnell has served as lead counsel in federal and state courts across the country, including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Texas. He has handled numerous bench and jury trials, argued before the Sixth, Seventh, and...

Lisa Ramsay Cole is President and Managing Shareholder of Lewis Thomason, where she provides firmwide leadership focused on strategic growth, governance, and long-term sustainability. She works closely with the Board of Directors to guide business planning, talent development, and operational excellence across the firm’s offices and practice groups. She also serves as Managing Shareholder of the firm’s Nashville office. Ms. Cole serves as the firm’s General Counsel, overseei...