Tennessee Bar Association Harris Gilbert Pro Bono Attorneys of the Year Award (2025)
Corporate Law Land Use and Zoning Law Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Christopher C. "Chris" Whitson
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Chris Whitson’s practice covers the areas of corporate, commercial, sports and entertainment, financings, executive employment, and land use planning. His primary concentration lies in general corporate representation with an emphasis on financings, mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions. He has acted as corporate counsel to numerous small, medium and large companies in commercial spaces ranging from charter schools to investment banking to automotive parts. However, much of his experience has been in the representation of professional sports franchises and investors.
Chris was formerly the head of the Firm’s corporate law practice and served as its recruiting chairman. Prior to joining Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison, he served as vice president and secretary of Whitson Lumber Company, where his responsibilities included both operations and legal counsel.
He is a former councilman for the 23rd District of Nashville and Davidson County. He was a member of the Budget & Finance Committee, vice-chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, chairman of the Charter Revision Committee and a member of the Public Safety Committee. He was also formerly a member and Chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals for Nashville and Davidson County.
Chris is a graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School where he served as special projects editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina.
Overview
- Vanderbilt University, J.D., graduated 1987
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., graduated 1983
- Tennessee, Tennessee Bar Association, 1987
- 23rd District of Nashville and Davidson County - Former Councilman
- Belle Meade Plantation - Former Member, Board of Directors
- Board of Zoning Appeals for Nashville and Davidson County - Former Member
- Exchange Club of Nashville - Former Board Member and Membership Chairman
- Harding Academy - Former Board Member and Secretary
- Harpeth Hall School - Member, Board of Directors
- Make-A-Wish Foundation of Middle Tennessee - Former Member, Board of Directors
- Montgomery Bell Academy - Member, Board of Directors
- Nashville Bar Association - Member
- Nashville Bar Foundation - Fellow
- Nashville Zoo - Former Member, Board of Directors
- St. George’s Episcopal Church - Stewardship Chairman, Junior Warden, and Senior Warden
- St. George’s Kindergarten - Former Board Member and Treasurer
- Tennessee Bar Association - Member, Corporate Counsel and Entertainment and Sports Law Sections,
- Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility - Former Hearing Committee Member
- Truxton Trust - Director
- Tennessee, Tennessee Bar Association, 1987
- 23rd District of Nashville and Davidson County - Former Councilman
- Belle Meade Plantation - Former Member, Board of Directors
- Board of Zoning Appeals for Nashville and Davidson County - Former Member
- Exchange Club of Nashville - Former Board Member and Membership Chairman
- Harding Academy - Former Board Member and Secretary
- Harpeth Hall School - Member, Board of Directors
- Make-A-Wish Foundation of Middle Tennessee - Former Member, Board of Directors
- Montgomery Bell Academy - Member, Board of Directors
- Nashville Bar Association - Member
- Nashville Bar Foundation - Fellow
- Nashville Zoo - Former Member, Board of Directors
- St. George’s Episcopal Church - Stewardship Chairman, Junior Warden, and Senior Warden
- St. George’s Kindergarten - Former Board Member and Treasurer
- Tennessee Bar Association - Member, Corporate Counsel and Entertainment and Sports Law Sections,
- Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility - Former Hearing Committee Member
- Truxton Trust - Director
- Vanderbilt University, J.D., graduated 1987
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., graduated 1983
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Corporate Law, Nashville (2022)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Corporate Law
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Sports Law
Awards:
Chambers USA, Corporate/Mergers and Acquisitions (2014 – 2024)
Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
Mid-South Super Lawyers, Business & Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, Entertainment & Sports (2023 – 2024)
Nashville Business Journal “Best of The Bar,” Corporate and Securities (2016, 2019)
Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D.
- Special Projects Editor, Vanderbilt Law Review
News & Media
Case History
Transactions
- Representative Experience
- Lead counsel to the Nashville Predators from 1998 through December of 2007, assisting them in numerous financings and in the negotiation of every major contract entered into by the Predators during this time. During 2007, he acted as lead counsel in the sale of the Predators to a group of local investors.
- Lead counsel to a group of investors who purchased the Minnesota Wild beginning in the fall of 2007 including assisting in the closings for the financing and acquisition of the franchise in April 2008. He has continued to assist with respect to corporate and transactional matters since the closing of the acquisition.
- Lead counsel to multiple investors in acquiring and selling minority stakes in professional sports franchises
- Lead counsel in the sale of companies specializing in the sale of automobile insurance, physical and electronic patient billing and payment services, residential title insurance services (a large regional multi-state operator), transportation logistics and numerous manufacturing companies
- Represented clients in the acquisition of companies specializing in the sale and maintenance of industrial electrical supplies, security equipment, restaurant management, firearms, a winery, and multiple other industries
- Represented clients in venture capital, senior debt, and mezzanine debt financing transactions
- Represented various executives in the negotiation of employment agreements, as well as separations from employment.
- Represented clients on land use issues drawing upon his experience as a Metro Councilman and Member of the Board of Zoning Appeals
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