Courtney Lutz Creal

Emily Bowman represents financial institutions, including banks and insurance companies, and corporate clients in a variety of commercial and real estate lending and other real estate transactional matters. Emily also regularly issues legal opinions in connection with multi-state projects and as local counsel for transactions originated outside of Tennessee secured by real property located within the State. Her commercial and real estate lending practice includes representation of lenders and...

Mike focuses his practice on the intersection of business litigation and business bankruptcy. He is able to not only obtain a judgment, but also take steps to ensure that the judgment is “worth the paper it is written on,” by preventing efforts to dissipate assets. On the other side of the equation, he advises companies and individuals who are defending litigation who are simultaneously exploring their bankruptcy options. This confluence of business disputes and ability-to-pay iss...

Steven Connor is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Steven, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chris Bowles is co-chair of Bradley’s Solar Energy Practice Group. He is an energy and economic development attorney practicing out of Bradley’s Nashville office. Chris regularly advises clients on the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects, with an emphasis on renewable energy sources, helping them negotiate contracts and manage risk in each stage of a project’s development, including the real estate, tax and regulatory aspects of development and pr...

Mark Peters is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Mark, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brooks Smith advises clients in their endeavors related to commercial real estate matters, commercial financing and general business transactions. Brooks represents developers, owners, users, borrowers and lenders in all aspects of commercial real estate development, acquisition, disposition, leasing and financing among all classes of real estate (office, retail, industrial, multi-family, and hospitality, medical and residential developments). Brooks also regularly represents lending institut...

Scott Hickman practices in the areas of employment law and business dispute resolution. His practice primarily involves assisting businesses involved in litigation or other dispute resolution, often representing employers in employment matters, as well as assisting and advising them on day-to-day employee relations. Mr. Hickman graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School, where he was the senior managing editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review and was a member of the Vanderbilt Moot Court Boa...

Michael A. Cottone is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation and Controversy - Tax. Michael A., who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark Westlake works with entrepreneurs, individuals and businesses to minimize their state and federal tax liabilities. In the area of business tax counseling, Mark advises clients to effectively organize and establish entities where tax burdens are a principal concern. He also represents these clients in structuring, negotiating, documenting and implementing transactions that are sensitive to tax ramifications. Mark is regularly called upon to resolve tax controversies of all sizes and level...

Jim focuses his practice on representing public and private sector clients in complex matters involving zoning, condemnation, economic incentives, elections, telecommunications, municipal law, environmental law and commercial real estate. He assists clients in landfill development, obtaining economic incentives from state and local governments, locating cell towers, condemnations, election challenges, rezonings, annexation disputes and procurement challenges. Jim practiced for 18 years in the...