Steven K. Wood

Ryan practices complex commercial litigation. Among other high-stakes business disputes, he has recently litigated covenants not to compete and trade secrets, commercial real estate transactions, contract disputes, business torts, and shareholder and corporate-governance issues. In 2025, Ryan was named the “Lawyer of the Year” in Nashville for real estate litigation. Ryan’s practice includes antitrust litigation, in which he represents large corporate clients in courts aroun...

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...

Elisa M. Harris is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Health Care Law. Elisa M. practices law in Nashville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Elisa M. Harris since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Elisa M. Harris is held by other lawyers.

David Stempel is a business transactions lawyer in the firm’s Nashville office. He has worked with clients in many different industries on mergers, acquisitions, sales, joint ventures, and capital raising transactions. He has significant experience in representing health care companies, including ambulatory surgery centers and home health companies, and helping those healthcare clients implement their growth and development strategies by structuring, negotiating and closing complex busi...

Mr. Dement is an AV rated attorney through Martindale-Hubbell and has that special combination of skill of being both an advocate and a counselor. Not only has he served as a litigator for approximately 29 years, he has advised many clients over the years in business, transactional, and financial matters. Prior to law school, Mr. Dement received a masters degree in business administration with a concentration in corporate finance. His training has given him unique insight into the problems hi...

Matt is a Partner and former Chair of the firm's Construction Practice Group. His focus is primarily on construction and complex litigation, with a concentration on transportation and manufacturing industries. Matt is the founder of www.bestpracticesconstructionlaw.com , a construction-related blog that focuses on lessons learned, technology, project management and legal trends in the construction industry. Based in the Music City, Matt also represents artists and talent in the Sports and Ent...

Jennifer M. Eberle is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Health Care, Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Jennifer M. practices law in Nashville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Jennifer M. Eberle since 2022. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jennifer M....

Mr. Braun is a partner in Hall Booth Smith's Nashville office, where he specializes in various areas of litigation and transactional work. Beginning in early 1995, Mr. Braun’s litigation practice with HBS has continued to grow in both Georgia and Tennessee. Early on in his career with HBS, Mr. Braun practiced extensively in the areas of general liability and medical malpractice litigation, areas in which he continues to practice today. As his practice has grown, he has developed experti...

Daniel Olivas is a shareholder in the Nashville office who joined the firm in 2005. He represents national clients in complex products liability litigation and has experience representing automobile manufacturers and suppliers. He successfully defends industrial, construction, corporate, and non-profit clients in employment discrimination matters, including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, EPA, 1981, USERRA, and state employment law disputes. He has substantial experience representing private colleges i...

Rick Nickels is a member of the firm’s Tax and Trusts and Estates practice groups. Rick practices at the intersection of business, tax and estate planning. A significant portion of his practice involves advising private companies and their owners, directors and executives on an array of state and federal tax, governance and corporate matters. Rick regularly assists with matters ranging from early-stage structure and funding to mid-stage buyouts and divorces to late-stage exits. He has s...