Jefferson Brannon

John (Jack) T. Reese has been practicing law in Nashville and throughout the state of Tennessee since 1993. He focuses his practice areas on litigation, primarily professional liability/healthcare liability for medical providers and institutions, product liability, premises liability, and general insurance defense. He has also handled multiple personal injury cases in other areas including personal injury, wrongful death, drug and medical device litigation, and probate matters. Mr. Reese was ...

Kendra Samson is a partner in Barton’s Nashville office. Kendra advises clients on how to avoid costly litigation, with a practice focused on employment law and commercial litigation. She believes the most effective legal counsel begins with building strong relationships—taking the time to understand a client’s business, their people, and their unique challenges. By investing in that knowledge, Kendra is able to craft practical, business-focused strategies that aim to resolv...

Leader of the firm’s Government Compliance & Investigations group, Chris Sabis recognizes that merely “responding” to governmental inquiries, enforcement actions, and litigation is often insufficient to protect his clients’ interests. Rather, he understands that efficient resolutions and positive outcomes in such matters are products of thoughtful and proactive approaches and the ability to take the initiative in addressing the concerns and issues that draw regulat...

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...

Robert focuses his practice on mergers, acquisitions, real estate development and finance.

Matt practices almost exclusively in the area of labor relations and employment law on behalf of management. In his career Matt has represented companies throughout the country in the areas of collective bargaining negotiations, grievance and arbitration, employment discrimination litigation in both federal and state courts, the National Labor Relations Act, wrongful discharge, wage and hour law, and other employment-related areas. Matt is also experienced in ADR, mediation and has served as ...

Daniel Clayton Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" Awards: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012 Professional Background - A Leader in the Law. Daniel Clayton is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist and a Medical Malpractice Specialist. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers; Fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers; and a Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He is a much sought after speaker on the subject of trial practice. He has given...

Stuart is a Senior Member in the Nashville office of Stites & Harbison and a member of the firm's Business Services Group. He has experience in a wide variety of corporate transactions, including domestic and international mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs and divestitures, joint ventures and strategic investments. His experience includes M&A transactions in various industry groups, including telecommunications, healthcare services, retail and distribution and manufacturing. Stuart's c...

W. Wells Beckett III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. W. Wells, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which W. Wells is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lela M. Hollabaugh has served as the lead trial lawyer in more than a dozen jury trials, as well as more than two dozen bench trials, arbitrations and administrative hearings. She advises leading natural gas pipeline companies on issues involving location, land acquisition, construction and operations. Hollabaugh serves as lead counsel for several pipeline projects in the southeast involving more than 200 lawsuits. She also represents leading pharmaceutical, medical device and other manufactu...