Paul Gontarek

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...

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),...

Brooks Smith advises clients in their endeavors related to commercial real estate matters, commercial financing and general business transactions. Brooks represents developers, owners, users, borrowers and lenders in all aspects of commercial real estate development, acquisition, disposition, leasing and financing among all classes of real estate (office, retail, industrial, multi-family, and hospitality, medical and residential developments). Brooks also regularly represents lending institut...

Doug practices in the areas of business and securities law, including mergers and acquisitions and commercial finance. Doug has significant experience in the representation of businesses in various industries in mergers, sales and acquisition activities, public and private capital raising transactions and corporate governance issues. He has represented venture capital funds in their formation and strategic investment transactions. Doug also has experience in representation of issuers in publi...

Isaac Sanders is a Member of Neal & Harwell, PLC. He is an experienced litigator and trial lawyer who represents defendants and plaintiffs in matters ranging from “mass action” lawsuits involving products liability and toxic tort claims, to civil and white-collar criminal cases involving alleged healthcare fraud. In the last several years, Isaac has routinely been assigned a leading role in a variety of high-stakes cases involving both corporate and individual clients. He has ...

Elizabeth A. Garrett is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. Elizabeth A., 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 Elizabeth A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A Trial Attorney for the Injured The Managing Partner of Lieff Cabraser’s Nashville office, Mark Chalos has been appointed to lead multidistrict litigations and class actions in federal and state courts throughout the country. Mark represents individuals who have suffered catastrophic personal injuries, as well as consumers, businesses, and municipalities that have been defrauded. Mark prosecutes product defect cases against U.S. and foreign corporations that make and sell allegedly def...

J. Chase Cole is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. J. Chase, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2003. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Chase is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Austin McMullen approaches his clients’ projects with a zeal to discover creative solutions to their problems. For Austin, the difficult and complex issues prove to be the most interesting and drive him to figure out all the contours of the law to help his clients. Focusing his practice on bankruptcy law, government relations, and commercial litigation, Austin represents creditors and Chapter 11 debtors; candidates in election contests; and clients involved in federal, state and local p...

John A. Day is a founding partner of the Law Offices of John Day, PC, located in the Nashville, Tennessee, area. John graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1981. He is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist and has over 30 years experience in trying lawsuits. John has served as President of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association and Chair of the Council of State Presidents of the American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers...