Best Lawyers in Tennessee, United States for Commercial Litigation

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...

Zachary H. Greene is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Zachary H., who practices law in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Zachary H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James G. Thomas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. James G., who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Woods Drinkwater is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Woods, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Woods is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Will Perry is a highly skilled and experienced trial and appellate lawyer and former trial judge whose practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He has represented businesses and governmental entities in litigation, arbitration, and mediation in more than a dozen states; tried bench and jury trials in state and federal courts; and argued before state and federal courts of appeal. From June 2021 to September 2022, Will served as a Tennessee Chancery ...

Thor Urness practices complex business litigation, including bet-the-company cases, intellectual property litigation and related counseling. Thor has served as lead trial counsel in commercial litigation that yielded two of Tennessee’s largest jury verdicts, for $26.5 million and $18.8 million, both in favor of his clients. Thor’s practice is generally divided equally between matters in Tennessee and elsewhere.

Al is a trial lawyer and adviser to Spicer Rudstrom’s business and insurance clients who focuses on civil litigation. As someone who has always enjoyed a challenge, pursuing a legal career, where he is able to find solutions to the issues facing his clients, seemed to be a perfect fit. He is most passionate about providing top-quality legal services and obtaining the best possible results for his clients. Al obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Virgini...

Haley E. Moody is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Haley E., who practices law in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Haley E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kyle Eiselstein is Vice-Chair of the Litigation Department and concentrates his practice in the area of civil litigation with an emphasis in complex commercial disputes. He represents business clients in a wide range of federal and state court cases, including matters involving alleged misrepresentation and fraud, breach of contract, business torts and insurance coverage. Kyle’s practice includes representing healthcare providers in the defense of federal False Claims Act litigation.

Bill Norton focuses his practice in the business bankruptcy area, dealing in all aspects of bankruptcy cases, creditor rights and insolvency. He first became familiar with the bankruptcy law from his Dad who was a noted scholar and Bankruptcy Judge in Atlanta, Georgia. Bill went to Vanderbilt Law School intending to practice in bankruptcy law and has done so since 1984. Over more than 25 years of practice of bankruptcy and insolvency law, Bill has represented just about every kind of client i...

J. Cole Dowsley, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law and Litigation - Labor and Employment. J. Cole, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Cole is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Douglas F. Halijan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property and Trademark Law. Douglas F., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Douglas F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Casey Miller represents clients in a variety of commercial litigation and dispute resolution matters. She has a diverse practice focused on business tort litigation, contract disputes, fiduciary-duty claims involving corporate directors and officers, intellectual property litigation, securities litigation, disputes over non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, and real estate litigation. She practices in both state and federal courts across the country. Casey also represents organizations...

Chris Cardwell is a trial lawyer in GSRM’s Litigation and Labor and Employment practice groups. He serves on the firm’s management, marketing and staff committees, and leads the Litigation and Labor and Employment practice groups. Chris represents life sciences, healthcare, railroad and transportation, and entertainment companies in complex commercial, employment, and intellectual property lawsuits.

Matthew Evans is a shareholder at Johnson Evans & Headrick PC in Nashville, Tennessee. His practice focuses on Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Insurance, with an emphasis on products liability, pharmaceutical, commercial, and insurance matters in both state and federal courts. Matthew has developed a substantial portion of his practice defending pharmaceutical and products liability claims and regularly manages complex litigation, including multidistrict litigation (MDL) matters in...

Phil Welty is currently serving as GSRM’s managing partner and is a member of GSRM’s Litigation and Real Estate Sections. His practice focuses on the representation of lenders, title companies, commercial landlords and property managers, developers, contractors, and other businesses and individuals in litigation and resolution of a broad range of lending, consumer financial, real property transactions, title, construction, and other commercial matters. Phil handles matters for cli...