J. James "Jim" Jenkins, Jr.

Rick Nickels is a member of the firm’s Tax and Trusts and Estates practice groups. Rick practices at the intersection of business, tax and estate planning. A significant portion of his practice involves advising private companies and their owners, directors and executives on an array of state and federal tax, governance and corporate matters. Rick regularly assists with matters ranging from early-stage structure and funding to mid-stage buyouts and divorces to late-stage exits. He has s...

Lauren Jacques focuses her practice on healthcare transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures, and the regulatory and operational issues that affect healthcare providers. Lauren routinely represents both publicly traded and privately held companies, including national hospital and surgery center companies. She has experience handling a wide variety of transactions across the country, including transactions involving hospitals, home health agencies, hospices,...

Russ Morgan is a trial lawyer in the firm’s Litigation Section. He represents and advises clients in health care, product liability and construction litigation. He has been recognized in several publications, including The Best Lawyers in America (Commercial Litigation and Construction); Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business ; Nashville Business Journal ’s “Best of the Bar”; and Super Lawyers . Healthcare Russ represents health care providers under...

Michael R. Griffin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Michael R. practices law in Nashville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Michael R. Griffin since 2026. 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 Michael R. Griffin is held by other la...

J. Ross Hutchison is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Construction. J. Ross practices law in Nashville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized J. Ross Hutchison 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 J. Ross Hutchison is held by other lawyers.

Talbott Ottinger is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Commercial Finance Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Talbott practices law in Nashville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Talbott Ottinger since 2024. 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 ...

Chuck Mataya has developed a focused practice of litigation and counseling in various areas of labor and employment law, including the defense of class, collective individual actions in both state and federal courts. Chuck acts as a lead counsel for prominent employers throughout the United States in the counsel and defense of employment and labor claims, including claims of wrongful discharge, breach of an employment contract, illegal discrimination under the various federal and state laws, ...

Cornell Kennedy is an experienced healthcare and corporate attorney who provides counsel tailored to the unique needs of specialty practitioners, such as dentists, veterinarians, and chiropractors, as well as to other general corporate clients he represents. Cornell appreciates that healthcare is not a monolithic industry and understands that effective representation requires understanding the nuanced business and legal challenges that vary across the broad healthcare landscape. In his health...

David Stempel is a business transactions lawyer in the firm’s Nashville office. He has worked with clients in many different industries on mergers, acquisitions, sales, joint ventures, and capital raising transactions. He has significant experience in representing health care companies, including ambulatory surgery centers and home health companies, and helping those healthcare clients implement their growth and development strategies by structuring, negotiating and closing complex busi...

J. Steven Kirkham is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. J. Steven practices law in Nashville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized J. Steven Kirkham since 2011. 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 J. Steven Kirkham is held by other lawyers.