Smith County Lawyers

Ashley is a native of Bowling Green where she graduated from Bowling Green High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Communication Studies from Western Kentucky University in 2009. Ashley attended the College of Law at the University of Kentucky earning her Juris Doctorate in 2012. While in law school she was a staff editor for the Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture and Natural Resources Law. After law school, Ashley returned to Bowling Green as a law clerk for Warren Circuit Court Judge John Grise and Judge Steve Wilson. Following her tenure as a law...

Tom Shumate is the founder of Meridian Law, PLLC, which represents individuals and businesses across Tennessee in a variety of civil matters including business, contract, and employment litigation; disputes involving non-competition agreements and theft of trade secrets; insurance defense; personal injury and wrongful death actions; and probate cases. Mr. Shumate graduated with honors from Vanderbilt University in 1995 and from Notre Dame Law School in 1998. He has practiced in Nashville, Tennessee since that time. In 2011 and 2013, Mr. Shumate was selected as a “Rising Star” by the Mid-South edition of Super Lawyers Magazine. He...

Mary Beth Hagan practices law primarily in the field of construction law. She represents persons in a variety of legal disputes both in residential and commercial construction. Ms. Hagan has represented contractors, subcontractors, owners, architects, and homeowners throughout her career. Ms. Hagan assists contractors and subcontractors with their daily legal matters, as well as the disputes that need to be heard by the court or arbitrator.

Mitch Grissim’s father, a prominent Nashville lawyer, taught him at an early age that it is the little things that make all the difference in the quality of the legal services offered and the level of client satisfaction. Simple but important actions, such as returning all phone calls before the end of the day and doing exactly what you say you’re going to, is the standard at Mitch Grissim and Associates.

Mitch lives on the lake east of Nashville in Sumner County and attends Bluegrass Baptist Church of Hendersonville. When not in the office, Mitch enjoys working out and training for...

Michael Hollins, Sr.  is a graduate of Western Michigan University - Thomas M. Cooley Law Schol where he received his Juris Doctorate.  During law school, he worked as an intern to a prominent United States District Court Judge in the 6th circuit.  Mr. Hollins is known for his friendly and professional demeanor with clients and is a strong and passionate advocate in court. To Mr. Hollins, the best part of his job is when a client walks into his office overwhelmed by their financial circumstance and then walks out of his office armed with a plan to save their home, have a...

Michelle Blaylock-Howser has been involved in the judicial system for over 12 years. She began her legal career with the law firm of Agee, Allen, Godwin, Morris and Laurenzi where she was paralegal to partner Lynn Agee and Susan Bradley. In 1998, she became employed as paralegal with the law office of Wilson and Bradley in the area of employment and personal injury law. In 1999, She accepted employment as a Judicial Assistant for the State of Tennessee under the Honorable Judge Don R. Ash and Honorable Judge J. Mark Rogers for 8 years. She worked full-time...

Justin completed his undergraduate education at the University of Mississippi, where he ended up graduating with honors and earning a Bachelor of Science Degree. After undergrad, he decided to further his education at Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he also graduated with honors and earned his Juris Doctorate. During his career at Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School he received several awards, including: the Criminal Law Best Essay/Book Award Recipient, Civil Procedure Best Essay/Book Award Recipient, Taxation Best Essay/Book Award Recipient, Pre-Trial Skills Book Award Recipient and Trial Skills Book Award Recipient. Each of...

Christopher Eads, a lifelong Tennesseean from Bluff City, has been a licensed attorney since 2015. After graduating from Sullivan East high school, Chris earned a football scholarship to Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. He then returned to East Tennessee with the intention of pursuing a career job until friends suggested he apply to law school. Chris graduated in the top 10 of his law school class and started working as an insurance defense attorney in Brentwood, Tennessee, after graduation. He was recognized by Best Lawyers in America in 2020 as...

I am a Commercial Real Estate & Business Attorney with extensive knowledge and experience in real estate, commercial and business transactions, non-profits, entertainment, sports and related litigation. I have broad experience with virtually all aspects of commercial real estate investment including tax deferred exchanges, leasing, commercial and residential development, real estate secured lending, workouts, foreclosures, special asset transactions, zoning and planning. I also work closely with many non-profit and tax-exempt organizations and churches in connection with planning and development challenges. I also have a well-established entertainment and sports law practice representing a number of high profile clients in...

Mr. Rausa is regionally known as a lecturer on bankruptcy and foreclosure law. His arguments in several courts have influenced case law, and he has been asked to speak on bankruptcy law topics on San Diego business radio talk shows and before consumer credit counselor and real estate professional groups.

Curt Masker is a successful Nashville employment attorney who has represented numerous workers in employment matters throughout Tennessee. Curt is a relentless advocate for Tennessee workers and he prides himself on getting the best possible outcome in every case. He keeps his caseload as low as possible to maximize the time he can dedicate to each client. Put simply, Curt has a passion for fighting for workplace fairness. Curt is a graduate of Vanderbilt Law School and he proudly calls East Nashville home. He is a member of the Nashville Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the Tennessee Employment Lawyers Association,...

Sabina is a first-generation immigrant and is bilingual in Bosnian and English. Her passion for helping others began early on. Sabina would translate for many members of the Bosnian community and volunteered at many international events. Following high school, Sabina attended Western Kentucky University where she pursued her undergraduate degree. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts as a double major in Political Science & Psychology with a minor in Criminology. Sabina obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law. During her college career, Sabina stayed involved in extracurricular activities and served as the president of Phi...

Sydney represents clients in Arkansas and Tennessee in the areas of Sports and Entertainment law, Intellectual Property, Business Law, Trademarks, and Estate Planning. Sydney attended law school at the University of Arkansas, where she graduated cum laude with her J.D. in 2023. While in school, Sydney worked for two years in school in the Arkansas Razorback Athletic Department under the Associate General Counsel for Athletics where she gained experience working with contract review and negotiation; compliance and Title 9 issues; intellectual property; Freedom of Information Act requests; and Name, Image, and Likeness policies and procedures. Sydney wrote and amended various...

Thomas Boyers continues a long tradition of legal and social advocacy, not only in Gallatin and Sumner County but throughout Tennessee in counties such as Wilson, Trousdale, Robertson and Macon. Thomas' Father and Grandfather were lawyers and Circuit Judges who practiced for decades in Gallatin as well as these other counties. Thomas Boyers V's namesake, Colonel Thomas Boyers established the local Newspaper and was the founding president of the Tennessee Press Association. Boyers concentrates on Criminal Defense, Divorce, Personal Injury and Probate cases. Additionally, Thomas Boyers is listed by The Tennessee Supreme Court as a Rule 31 Civil Mediator.

Norman D. McKellar practices law in the areas of IRS tax resolution and federal criminal defense, with an emphasis on tax fraud and white collar federal crimes. Mr. McKellar has successfully defended clients in criminal cases in both federal and state courts and in U.S. Tax Court. Mr. McKellar was voted by his peers as a “Top Attorney” for 8 straight years by Knoxville’s CityView magazine. In 2014, Mr. McKellar was selected as a member of the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” by the National Trial Lawyers, and he also received this same award in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and...

We are focused on consumer and small business bankruptcy relief, debt negotiation, and foreclosure defense. Our office has been in the same location in Hendersonville, Tennessee for 17 years.

Our team of four individuals (Eric, Rachel, Tina, and Noah) will focus on providing you the highest level of customer attention and service in getting you the relief you are seeking. Even before you retain us, we are here to help you gather the documentation for the free initial consultation. There is no reason to stay where you are if you are stuck between a rock and a hard...

J. Caleb Cassell is licensed to practice law in the State of Tennessee, has been admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court of Middle Tennessee. He is a member of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and serves as an Attorney Mentor in the Belmont University College of Law American Inns of Court.

A native of Tennessee, Caleb is a graduate of Belmont University College of Law. While attending law school, Caleb was a member of the Board of Advocates - Mock Trial Team, was a charter board member and served as the Executive Editor of Notes of the...

Rodney M. “Rod” Scott is an attorney currently engaged in the general practice of law, focusing on estate planning and elder law. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Accounting from West Virginia University in 1979, and his law degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1982. Originally admitted to practice in the states of Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, he has happily chosen Tennessee as his home and the location of his practice. In his 34+ years of experience as an attorney, he has seen the impact of pre-planning and crisis estate planning upon individuals, their...

Evan graduated from University of Tennessee Knoxville with degrees in political science and history. His legal career began at Belmont University College of Law, where he served as the Vice President of the Health Law Society and graduated with a health law certificate in addition to his law degree. During his last 2 years at Belmont, he served as a law clerk at a Nashville land use firm. After passing the Bar in 2018, his family moved to Chattanooga, where he worked for an insurance defense firm representing insurance companies in slip and fall, car accident, and workers’ compensation claims. After...

Cody Galaher represents companies and individuals in litigation of state and federal matters primarily involving family, business, and appellate issues. Cody has wide-ranging and specialized litigation experience, both at the trial court and appellate levels, which he utilizes to obtain the very best possible outcome for his clients. Cody is experienced and has a reputation for obtaining great results for clients in divorce and custody matters.

Cody frequently helps clients form, govern, and operate their businesses and his distinct litigation expertise allows him to advise clients in avoiding and resolving potential disputes. In addition, Cody is also uniquely experienced in the...

After completing a six-year tour of duty as a Navy Corpsman (medic) assigned to a Marine Corps infantry battalion, Jason went to nursing school. He then enjoyed a 12-year career as a Registered Nurse (RN), where he worked in many different areas including emergency departments, intensive care units, renal dialysis centers, and post-anesthesia care units. He finished his nursing career serving as a charge nurse on a spinal cord injury unit. While working in healthcare, Jason witnessed first-hand the many ways in which negligence can lead to serious, sometimes fatal injuries. Unfortunately, the negligence of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers...

Mr. Coleman is now the Managing Partner and majority owner of Hughes and Coleman Injury Lawyers, a firm he cofounded in 1985 with J. Marshall Hughes. The firm has grown during its 37 years, and currently has 30 attorneys and 10 offices in Kentucky and Tennessee, and an affiliated firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Lee is proud that two of his sons, Benjamin and Andrew, are attorneys practicing with H&C. Lee earned his Law Degree from the University of Louisville, graduating in 1981, and earned his undergraduate Business Administration degree from the University of Kentucky, graduating in 1978. In 1985 Lee...

Charles K. Grant's experience includes defending clients in complex employment litigation, including class actions and collective actions (wage and hour litigation); litigation concerning claims under Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA); wrongful discharge; sexual, racial, age, national-origin, disability, and religious discrimination and harassment under state and federal laws; Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA); retaliatory discharge; defamation; intentional infliction of emotional distress, tortious interference with contract; employment and non-compete agreements; protection of trade secrets; drug-testing; conspiracy; reductions in force; and the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act (WARN). His clients also include licensed professionals such as lawyers, physicians and dentists, whom...

Working multiple jobs throughout high school and college, Zack set out to obtain his Bachelor’s as quickly as possible, graduating from Western Kentucky University with a double major in History and Spanish in only two and a half years. Zack never stops moving, and he tries to do as much as he can as quickly as possible. He’s always seeking to expand his knowledge and gain perspective by setting and reaching new goals. While earning his law degree at Belmont University, Zack clerked at a law firm where he assisted on an unforgettable medical malpractice case. His client had a faulty...

Edward M. Graves, Jr. is a 1978 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law. He has engaged in the practice of law for over 40 years. He is licensed to practice law in all Tennessee state courts, the Eastern and Middle District Federal Courts, and the United States Supreme Court. He has worked as an attorney representing personal injury litigants, legal malpractice victims, and in general civil practice. Mr. Graves is certified as a legal malpractice specialist by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys.

Mr. Graves’ hobby is fly fishing in saltwater and he loves to cook.

Joy Day is one of only fourteen female lawyers in the State of Tennessee who is certified as a civil trial specialist by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification and serves as a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator. With more than 150 days of trial to her credit, Joy has significant trial experience in high-exposure, complex cases and is more than comfortable in the courtroom.

Joy has a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, the highest rating possible, since 2004, and she has been named a Mid-South Super Lawyer every year since 2009. Joy is licensed in state...

Mark Freeman is a board certified Civil Trial Specialist with almost 20 years of litigation experience located in the heart of Nashville Tennessee. He has tried nearly one hundred jury cases both in State and Federal Court in Middle Tennessee. Mark Freeman is a litigator who concentrates his practice in the areas of civil litigation, criminal defense, personal injury, domestic and family law matters. Additionally he is a chartered property casualty underwriter which is a designation indicating specialization in the insurance field.

Mark Freeman graduated from Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee School of Law. Client satisfaction is his number...

Mariana was born and raised in Brazil until the age of fifteen when her family moved to the United States. During her childhood, Mariana learned her appreciation for hard work and commitment to the safety and well being of others from her father, an engineer, and her mother, a physician. These qualities drove her passion to become an attorney.

Following secondary school, Mariana attended the University of Louisville where she received a full athletic scholarship playing tennis. She graduated with an undergraduate degree in psychology and a minor in chemistry. Mariana then proceeded to attend the Louis D. Brandeis School of...

Don Himmelberg is a criminal defense attorney in Nashville, TN.

Don graduated Middle Tennessee State University before moving on to pursue his J.D. at the Nashville School of Law in 1985. While in law school, Don was employed in the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office; he also gained experience as the Law Clerk for Circuit Criminal Court. Upon admittance to the Bar, Don served as an Assistant District Attorney, responsible for prosecuting both misdemeanors and felonies.

After several years as a prosecutor, Don made the decision to enter private practice with his partners, Jim Higgins and Rick Piliponis. Together, the three attorneys opened...

Shute Law is a boutique law firm that utilizes a client-focused approach to create opportunities and procure sustainable contracts in the sports and entertainment industries. Our practice areas include contracts, litigation, consulting/business development, the cannabis & marijuana industry, as well as estate planning, criminal defense, and family law.

Andrew J. Gregory-Mabrey holds a Bachelor of Arts from Purdue University, and received his Juris Doctor from Northern Kentucky University Chase College of Law in 2010. He is proud to have joined Hughes and Coleman as a member of the Social Security Disability team. While in law school, Mr. Gregory-Mabrey participated in the Kentucky Innocence Project (the post-conviction branch of the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy), and worked for the Children’s Law Center, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on protecting the legal rights of minors. He also interned for the Law Office of Katherine Siereveld and was employed by Chevalier, Fox...

In June 2006, Johnnie Bond started Bond Law as a boutique, general practice law firm in Washington, DC. Through Bond Law, Bond weaves together his transactional and litigation skills to provide his clients with comprehensive legal services designed to achieve success and add value. Bond's practice includes Accident/Personal Injury Litigation, Bankruptcy, Divorce, DUI/DWI, Business Law and Commercial Litigation for Government Contracting Companies, Contract Disputes, Real Estate and General Legal Services for Small Businesses and Start-up Companies. Bond Law also collaborates with Lita Rosario, Esq. and Wyz Girl Entertainment for Copyright and Trademark Infringement Law.

Matt grew up in Goodlettsville the son of a lawyer and grandson of a school principal who then re-invented herself as a lawyer in retirement, so it was pretty inevitable that Matt would also end up a lawyer. Predictably enough, he also has a younger brother who is ALSO a lawyer. Matt graduated from Tennessee Tech cum laude with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a minor in math. After working as an engineer with a global HVAC company, Matt realized engineering wasn’t his passion. He then went on to graduate magna cum laude from the University of...

Jonathan is a personal injury attorney in Nashville and is the managing partner of Larry R. Williams, PLLC. He handles cases all over Middle Tennessee including car wrecks, motorcycle accidents, large truck collisions, construction site accidents and many other type of negligent injury and wrongful death claims. Jonathan also represent businesses on day to day matters and litigates business matters and disputes. In addition, Jonathan manages the firm's Social Security Disability practice and estate planning and probate practice. In 2015 Jonathan was awarded the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbel. He maintains a 10.0 rating on Avvo and...

At Hicks Law Firm, you will receive the individual attention that your case needs. We are highly experienced and have handled thousands of cases, resulting in the recovery of millions of dollars for our clients. All initial consultations are free and confidential. We are available to you at all times. We are paid on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay us unless we win your case. When you hire us, you will be given your attorney’s personal cell phone number. Call us today to begin your road to recovery. (949) 541-9944

Jonaka grew up knowing she wanted a career of service to others. Inspired by that motivation, she loves the satisfaction she hears from clients when her conversation and work has made a difference in their day, especially those who are experiencing a very dark time in their lives. Jonaka White Hall focuses her practice on a variety of types of personal injury cases. Originally from Cromwell, Kentucky, Jonaka earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from Western Kentucky University. Following her undergraduate career, Jonaka earned her Juris Doctor from Salmon P. Chase College of Law. Prior to joining...