Ryan D. Franklin

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...

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.

Autumn L. Gentry is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Autumn L., 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 Autumn L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Farringer is a trial lawyer focusing on complex business and commercial litigation. He practices in state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate level and before administrative agencies. John is also experienced with all forms of alternative dispute resolution, regularly advises clients regarding litigation avoidance and assessment, and is listed as a Rule 31 General Civil Mediator. With over two decades of experience, John has litigated many high-stakes and high-profile matt...

Brian Browder is a healthcare attorney with a reputation within the industry for getting difficult deals done. Clients praise his understanding of their businesses and management philosophies, and value the instrumental role he plays in helping them achieve their objectives. Over the past 30 years, Brian has served as lead counsel in complex healthcare mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and private equity investments with an aggregate value of more than $4.5 billion. His expe...

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

Berry Holt focuses his practice primarily on the health care industry. He has handled a wide range of health care provider and other business matters over the past 35+ years. He acts as a general advisor to his clients on a broad scale and is currently frequently on site at St. Thomas Health Services as general counsel. Berry's practice ranges from general corporate advice to specific health care advice regarding transactional, regulatory or operational matters. Berry is the past president of...

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...

Mark Michael Bell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Mark Michael, 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 Mark Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Thomas W. Lawless earned his JD in 1980 from the Nashville School of Law and was admitted to practice in Tennessee in 1981. He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Tennessee as well as the Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. He is a board certified Creditors’ Rights Law Specialist by the American Board of Certification and the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Speci...