Samantha C. Gerken

J.W. previously served as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation under Governor Ned McWherter. He is a member of Butler Snow’s Regulatory and Government group and his practice includes representation in environmental, public utility, and other regulatory matters.

Mark Westlake works with entrepreneurs, individuals and businesses to minimize their state and federal tax liabilities. In the area of business tax counseling, Mark advises clients to effectively organize and establish entities where tax burdens are a principal concern. He also represents these clients in structuring, negotiating, documenting and implementing transactions that are sensitive to tax ramifications. Mark is regularly called upon to resolve tax controversies of all sizes and level...

Leslie Goff Sanders is the Managing Partner of Barton’s Nashville office. She assists employers in all areas of labor and employment law, with a particular focus on day-to-day counseling, litigation, trade secrets and non-competition, and executive compensation. Leslie's philosophy is to understand the client’s business, not just the employment laws. By understanding the nature of her client’s business and their goals, she can better advise them on how to successfully naviga...

Shannon Goff Kukulka is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Governance Law, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Employment Law - Management. Shannon Goff, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shannon Goff is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Phillip Cramer excels in monetizing claims, pursuing redress, and securing recoveries for plaintiffs in antitrust cases. He has assisted corporate claimants in obtaining recoveries exceeding $1 billion. He also handles high-impact civil rights actions to redress constitutional rights violations. A highly intelligent, out-of-the-box thinker, and creative problem-solver, Phil meshes book smarts and innovation with practicality, finding ways to approach cases that others may fail to see. Phil be...

Kevin Michael represents arrangers, agents, lenders and borrowers in connection with a variety of complex financing transactions, including term and revolving loan facilities, asset-based loan facilities, letter of credit facilities and subscription facilities. He handles the refinancing and restructuring of existing financing arrangements for a wide range of purposes and industries, including skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, ambulatory surgery centers and other healthcare faci...

Richard divides his practice between commercial real estate and general corporate law. In recent years his real estate practice has included the development and leasing of new office buildings and retail developments as well as the purchase, sale and financing of existing projects, including downtown and suburban office buildings and office parks, big box retail facilities, shopping centers and industrial parks. He has been recognized in several publications, including The Best Lawyers in Ame...

Gary M. Brown is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Franchise Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Securities / Capital Markets Law. Gary M., who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 1995. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gary M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice ...

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

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...