John S. Hicks

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

Dewey Branstetter has represented a broad range of individuals and entities, but his practice concentrates on utility and municipal issues; employment matters, including employee benefits issues; and complex litigation. Mr. Branstetter has extensive experience advising and representing utility districts, municipalities, and utility related entities such as Tennessee 811. He recently appeared before the Utility Management Review Board and successfully defended against the first ratepayer petit...

Edward Burrell is a member of the Business & Corporate Services Group in the firm's Nashville office. Edward has a broad transactional practice with experience in a variety of industries. He has extensive experience with mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, due diligence, entity formation and governance, private equity transactions, corporate finance, equity owner disputes and commercial contracts. Edward's experience with commercial contracts includes drafting, reviewing and negotiati...

David Patrick Wright is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. David Patrick, 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 David Patrick is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeff Beemer is a business lawyer who works with clients to achieve effective resolution of a variety of business disputes. He provides proactive advice on litigation avoidance and risk management, including daily counseling for employers on all aspects of employment law. As a seasoned trial advocate, Jeff has significant experience achieving favorable results for clients in employment cases and commercial disputes, as well as in litigation involving significant personal injury claims, product...

Mary Taylor Gallagher is a trial lawyer in GSRM’s Litigation and Labor and Employment sections. Mary Taylor has tried jury and nonjury cases in state and federal courts throughout Tennessee. In addition to general business litigation, Mary Taylor focuses her practice on the defense of employers in the railroad, transportation and healthcare industries. Mary Taylor advises clients on issues of labor and employment law compliance, including the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA),...

Stephen is a Partner at Burr & Forman LLP where he serves on the firm's Executive Committee. He is a member of the Labor & Employment and Commercial Litigation Practice Groups. Stephen’s practice focuses primarily on employment law and litigation. His practice also focuses on business and intellectual property litigation. He frequently defends employers against claims for alleged employment discrimination, retaliatory discharge, and wage and hour violations. He also handles non-...

Chris Cardwell is a trial lawyer in GSRM’s Litigation and Labor and Employment practice groups. He serves on the firm’s management, marketing and staff committees, and leads the Litigation and Labor and Employment practice groups. Chris represents life sciences, healthcare, railroad and transportation, and entertainment companies in complex commercial, employment, and intellectual property lawsuits.

Walter Neilsen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Walter, 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 Walter is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kim Brown’s practice focuses in the area of commercial transactions, including commercial lending, real estate finance and development, leasing, public and private finance, and condominium development and conversions. Mr. Brown is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law with honors. He graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Business with high honors and was elected to the Beta Gamma Sigma national business honor society. Mr. Brown is a member of the Nashv...