Best Lawyers Near You in Franklin, Tennessee for Employment Law - Management
Mary Dohner Smith is a partner in the Nashville office with experience involving every aspect of the employment relationship. She has been involved in complex litigation involving all aspects of Title VII, the ADEA, the ADA, the FLSA, USERRA, retaliatory discharge, and state law claims for breach of contract, fraud, negligence, and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Before joining Constangy, Mary worked in Human Resources in both unionized and non-unionized facilities...
Scott Hickman practices in the areas of employment law and business dispute resolution. His practice primarily involves assisting businesses involved in litigation or other dispute resolution, often representing employers in employment matters, as well as assisting and advising them on day-to-day employee relations. Mr. Hickman graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School, where he was the senior managing editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review and was a member of the Vanderbilt Moot Court Boa...
Stephen is a Partner at Burr & Forman LLP where he serves on the firm's Executive Committee. He is a member of the Labor & Employment and Commercial Litigation Practice Groups. Stephen’s practice focuses primarily on employment law and litigation. His practice also focuses on business and intellectual property litigation. He frequently defends employers against claims for alleged employment discrimination, retaliatory discharge, and wage and hour violations. He also handles non-...
Lisa Ramsay Cole is President and Managing Shareholder of Lewis Thomason, where she provides firmwide leadership focused on strategic growth, governance, and long-term sustainability. She works closely with the Board of Directors to guide business planning, talent development, and operational excellence across the firm’s offices and practice groups. She also serves as Managing Shareholder of the firm’s Nashville office. Ms. Cole serves as the firm’s General Counsel, overseei...
After graduating from Vanderbilt University School of Law, Luther Wright, Jr. began his career with a respected general practice firm in the litigation section. He spent the first several years of his legal career practicing in the general litigation area before joining the Labor & Employment team. He has significant experience in the areas of labor and employment law, corporate business litigation and class action lawsuits. He typically represents management in all forms of employment di...
J. Christopher Anderson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. J. Christopher practices law in Nashville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized J. Christopher Anderson since 2019. 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. Christopher Anderson is held by othe...
James B. Bristol is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Employment Law - Management, Litigation - ERISA and Tax Law. James B. practices law in Nashville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized James B. Bristol since 2009. 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 James B. Bristol is held by other ...
Joycelyn A. Stevenson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Joycelyn A. practices law in Nashville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Joycelyn A. Stevenson since 2016. 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 Joycelyn A. Stevenson ...
Mr. Noel is an Equity Member of the firm and located in our Nashville office. The greater part of Mr. Noel's practice hours is spent in the representation of management in Employment Law litigation and related matters, pre-litigation corporate counseling, and the creation of human resource tools. He has handled all aspects of litigation in matters involving Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, ERISA, FMLA, common law employment actions, workers’ compensation, workers’ compensation retaliat...
Benjamin P. Lemly is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Employment Law - Management. Benjamin P. practices law in Nashville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Benjamin P. Lemly 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 Benjamin P. Lemly is held by other lawyers.
Ed Reynolds Davies, Jr. has been practicing law in Nashville and throughout Tennessee since 1983. Before entering private practice, Mr. Davies served as a law clerk to the Honorable L. Clure Morton, Chief Judge, United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee from 1982-1983. Since entering private practice, Mr. Davies has concentrated his practice on civil litigation primarily focusing on medical malpractice/healthcare liability cases for physicians, other healthcare provide...
William S. Rutchow is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. William S. practices law in Nashville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized William S. Rutchow since 2018. 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 William S. Rutchow is held by...
Elizabeth Washko is the Managing Shareholder of the Nashville office. Ms. Washko represents management in a wide variety of employment litigation matters, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, FMLA, FLSA, wrongful termination, breach of contract, and covenant not to compete cases. Ms. Washko has served as lead counsel in jury trials in both state and federal courts. In addition to her litigation experience, Ms. Washko also conducts training on employment issues, drafts and review...
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...
Paige Lyle counsels clients from corporations and governmental entities to small family-owned businesses on the day to day legal ramifications of managing a workforce. A seasoned litigator with a fierce commitment to her clients, Paige has a broad base of legal experience that makes her an irreplaceable asset to any litigation team. Paige understands that litigation can be alarming and uncomfortable for clients. To make the process as smooth as possible, she strives to be accessible and respo...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.