Douglas T. Bates III

Austin McMullen approaches his clients’ projects with a zeal to discover creative solutions to their problems. For Austin, the difficult and complex issues prove to be the most interesting and drive him to figure out all the contours of the law to help his clients. Focusing his practice on bankruptcy law, government relations, and commercial litigation, Austin represents creditors and Chapter 11 debtors; candidates in election contests; and clients involved in federal, state and local p...

Derek Crownover is a recognized leader in the music, entertainment, sports and media industries, counseling publishing companies, independent record labels, singers and songwriters who own their copyrights, and music publishing administration companies on licensing, liability matters and related litigation. He also counsels clients on recording agreements, employment agreements, LLC funding deals, real estate deals, asset purchase agreements and trusts and estates matters. In addition to his ...

Zan is one of the firm’s generalists, as well as a lead trial lawyer. He has tried many cases before juries, judges and administrative agencies in employment discrimination, union-management and employee benefits cases. Zan has presented arguments to several federal and state appellate courts. He advises companies concerning structuring the relationships with workers and clients, whether as employment, leased employee or independent contractor arrangements to minimize legal risks and pr...

George H. Cate, III, focuses his practice in civil litigation, crisis management, and representing corporations and individuals in connection with government and internal investigations. His civil litigation experience includes matters arising from a broad range of commercial and business transactions, misappropriation of trade secrets and other intellectual property disputes, non-competition and related business tort litigation, disputes under the False Claims Act, insurance litigation, bank...

David Lemke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. David, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joycelyn A. Stevenson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Joycelyn A., 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 Joycelyn A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Thomas W. Lawless earned his JD in 1980 from the Nashville School of Law and was admitted to practice in Tennessee in 1981. He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Tennessee as well as the Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. He is a board certified Creditors’ Rights Law Specialist by the American Board of Certification and the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Speci...

Lisa Helton’s practice areas include estate and trust litigation, appellate practice, general and commercial litigation, environmental litigation, landlord/tenant law, representation of homeowners and homeowner associations (HOAs) in HOA disputes, and IRS tax litigation and controversy. Lisa was recognized by Best Lawyers ® as the 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” in Nashville for Trust and Estate Litigation and as the 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” in Nashville for both ...

HOWARD B. JACKSON is a Member of the Knoxville, Tennessee office of the firm, which he joined in 2001. His practice includes substantial experience with labor law, employment litigation, including both discrimination cases of all kinds and employee restrictive agreements, frequent training and counseling of employers on a wide variety of employment law issues, and commercial litigation. Howard graduated from Georgia Tech in 1983, with a B.S. in Industrial Management, from Duke University in 1...

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 ...