John W. Dawson IV

William “Jay” Harbison II is a member of the firm’s litigation practice, counseling clients on various business disputes and commercial matters. Jay is recognized by Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch,” 2025 for Civil Rights Law, Commercial Litigation and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants. Prior to joining the firm, Jay was a partner at the Nashville law firm Neal & Harwell, where he represented both plaintiffs and defendants an...

Patrick Thurman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Patrick, 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 Patrick is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brandon Schirg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Brandon, 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 Brandon is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

GGreg Smith is a Member of the firm based in the Nashville office where he is a member of the Family Law Service Group. His practice focuses primarily on divorce, custody litigation, support disputes and neglect cases in courts in Nashville and surrounding counties. He has helped clients find and recover children abducted by former spouses, obtained help for children with disabilities and resolved difficult property and financial issues related to their domestic disputes. He has experience in...

Steven Connor is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Steven, 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 Steven is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael Johnson is a business and intellectual property attorney with Johnson Evans & Headrick PC in Nashville, Tennessee. He advises entrepreneurs, creative companies, and technology-driven businesses on commercial transactions, intellectual property strategy, and commercial disputes. His practice focuses on Commercial Litigation and Copyright Law, particularly where business operations intersect with intellectual property and creative industries. Michael represents startups, growth-stag...

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.

Van East represents clients on matters involving closely held business entities, including formations, conversions, mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, as well as restructuring ownership and control. He has represented clients in purchasing and selling a variety of businesses, including home-building, real estate development, manufacturing, and restaurant entities. Van routinely organizes limited liability companies, corporations and partnerships for a variety of business purposes, includ...

Lauren is a Member in the firm's Nashville office where she concentrates her practice in the areas of business and commercial litigation, with a focus on financial services and professional malpractice. She is a member of the Business Litigation and the Torts & Insurance Practice groups. Lauren joined the firm after clerking for Judge Herbert C. Gill, Jr., of the Twelfth Circuit of Virginia, 2005 to 2006. Outside of the firm, Lauren serves as the President-Elect for the Nashville Bar Asso...

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...