John T. Blankenship

A partner based in our Nashville office, Kenneth S. Byrd is an experienced trial attorney at Lieff Cabraser, obtaining several large jury trial verdicts against Big Tobacco over the past several years. He received the Tennessee Association for Justice’s 2015 Paladin Award for his successful litigation against cigarette manufacturers R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Philip Morris USA Inc., and Lorillard Tobacco Company in Florida federal courts. The Paladin Award is TAJ’s highest hon...

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...

William Jones is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Entertainment Law - Music. William, 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 William is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christopher A. Wilson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Christopher A., who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Rodgers helps employers solve their employment-related problems. His practice is three-fold. First, he counsels clients on the numerous situations that can arise related to their employees, including termination and disciplinary decisions, reasonable accommodation issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), wage-and-hour issues under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state law, and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) problems. His goal is to work with clients in a pract...

Jennifer S. Kiesewetter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Litigation - ERISA. Jennifer S., who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bill Neely practices primarily in the areas of partnership and corporate taxation, transactional tax planning, and executive compensation. He regularly provides advice on the structure and implementation of taxable and nontaxable acquisitions and has assisted in the formation and operation of numerous venture capital, real estate and hedge funds. He also routinely consults with companies on their executive compensation plans. From 2007 through 2022, Bill served as general counsel of Health Se...

W. David Bridgers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Environmental Law and Health Care Law. W. David, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which W. David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark Smith’s clients include hospitals, doctors and other health care providers throughout the state of Tennessee. He handles the defense of medical negligence claims and suits involving allegations of wrongful death and catastrophic injuries with the potential for significant financial exposure. Other practice areas include general, commercial, estate and appellate litigation, as well as high-exposure plaintiff’s personal injury cases. Mark has practiced law 32 years, including m...

Lauren Schick has extensive experience negotiating and drafting commercial leases for retail, healthcare, office, and industrial projects on a national basis. Representing both landlords and tenants, Lauren is well versed in handling complex leasing related matters. In addition to landlords and tenants, she advises real estate developers, real estate brokers, and property managers regarding the leasing and management of commercial real estate. Lauren has also established a practice assisting ...