Timothy B. "Tim" Ballard

Mr. Godbold is a Chattanooga native and Baylor School alumnus. He is a proud parent of twin boys. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Tennessee where he graduated with high honors and was recognized as an “Unsung Hero” for exceptional contributions to campus life by the Dean of Students. While in law school at the University of Memphis, Mr. Godbold was elected as a Bar Governor, was the Mock Trial Champion, and received the Dean’s Service Award. Mr. God...

Chris Crevasse focuses his practice on employee benefits, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and other aspects of employment law, including immigration law. He assists his clients with the design, drafting, and updating of retirement plans and other employee benefit plans; with ERISA and federal tax compliance; with benefit plan administration and audits, including audits by the IRS and DOL; and with resolving employee benefits issues through the IRS and DOL correction programs. He also counsels ...

Alston Hamilton concentrates his practice in the area of corporate law, with an emphasis on venture capital, private equity and mezzanine finance, mergers and acquisitions and securities law. He represents venture capital investors and mezzanine lenders in initial and later stage financings and the on-going management of those investments. He represents companies in their formation, issuances of their equity and debt securities and in their merger and acquisition transactions. He has handled ...

After graduating from law school, Jonathan D. Stewart joined Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell PLC in 2003 and became a partner in 2011. Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, he represents clients in Insurance Law, with a practice that includes insurance defense, arson and fraud defense, first-party insurance coverage, first-party litigation, and mediation services. Over the years, Jonathan’s work has concentrated primarily on first-party insurance coverage matters and related litigation. He...

Hugh Sharber practices business law with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, securities transactions and other general business and commercial matters. He has advised both strategic and private equity purchasers and sellers in business transactions in the healthcare, consumer products, restaurant and financial services industries, among others. He has also advised numerous clients on securities offerings, including public offerings and private placements of securities. Mr. Sharber counse...

David Spiller is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. David practices law in Chattanooga, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized David Spiller since 2026. 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 David Spiller is held by other lawyers.

R. Tyler Hand is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. R. Tyler practices law in Chattanooga, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized R. Tyler Hand since 2026. 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 R. Tyler Hand is held by other lawyers.

J. Patrick Murphy is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law and Corporate Law. J. Patrick practices law in Chattanooga, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized J. Patrick Murphy since 2005. 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 J. Patrick Murphy is held by other lawyers.

Mr. Henry has more than 40 years of experience practicing corporate and securities law in Chattanooga, Tennessee, focusing on representation of public companies. Mr. Henry has represented public companies in a wide variety of industries, including transportation/trucking; manufacturing; textiles; carpet and rug; garment and apparel; and soft drink bottling and distribution. He has advised clients on public and private offerings of debt and securities, mergers, tender offers, acquisitions and ...

Merrill Nelson advises clients on a wide variety of corporate law matters, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital financing and general corporate contracting. Merrill has advised purchasers and sellers in business transactions in the manufacturing, healthcare, video production and industrial supply industries, among others. He has also counseled both founders and investors in negotiating private equity investments for startup and emerging companies. Additionall...