Smith County Lawyers

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...

Bennett J. Wills is an attorney serving clients all across Tennessee. In 2014 he was awarded the Top 40 Under 40 award by the National Trial Lawyers Association and was awarded Super Lawyers 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Rising Star. Bennett's practice areas include, business litigation, business formation/dissolution disputes, various contract matter, construction litigation, consumer defense, and real estate matters.

J. Ross Pepper is an AV rated trial attorney with over 27 years of experience with litigation, arbitration and mediation. Mr. Pepper's trial, courtroom and deposition experience is extensive and benefits his clients incalculably. Mr. Pepper is the founding member of Pepper Law, PLC, a boutique litigation law firm which handles litigation matters in Nashville and throughout Tennessee.

Mr. Pepper has acted as lead counsel in a wide range of commercial, employment, probate, insurance, and real estate cases. Notably, Mr. Pepper acted as lead counsel in a nationwide class action involving the sale and marketing...

I am a Vanderbilt educated lawyer living in Nashville, Tennessee, and primarily practicing in the areas of Family and Employment Law (Plaintiff's side). I have been involved in litigation since 2007, with experience in complex litigation in federal courts. When I am not working, you can find me at a Preds game or watching the University of Louisville and Vanderbilt on tv.

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,...

Buscher Law provides efficient and effective legal advice to clients needing assistance with business law, real estate transaction, asset protection, estate planning, and intellectual property, as well as regulatory compliance in the cannabis, hemp, distributed ledger technology, and Buscher also works with both well known and up-and-coming musicians and athletes to help keep their interests protected. Alex Buscher founded Buscher Law LLC in 2018, initially providing legal advice to hemp companies in Colorado, and quickly realized most lawyers, bankers, and insurance companies were still not willing to take a risk on the legalized industry. This led to an expansion of...

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...

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...

Jill knew at a very early age that she wanted to become an attorney, but the journey to her chosen profession did not come easily. Attending law school was difficult, especially as a single mother. Jill started with Hughes & Coleman as a runner in 1996 while attending law school. During this difficult and strenuous time of her life, she worked, went to school and came home to be a mom. This conditioned her to fight harder than anyone else for the things she wanted in life.

After graduating from Nashville School of Law in 1997, Jill immediately began...

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...

Richard is a hometown lawyer, born and raised in Bowling Green. He attended Warren Central High School and continued his education at Western Kentucky University, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He then attended Northern Kentucky University Chase College of Law, graduating cum laude in 2010. At NKU, Richard was an Associate Editor for the Northern Kentucky Law Review and had his law review article chosen for publication in 2010. After law school, Richard returned home again to begin his career with a defense firm focusing primarily on civil litigation, including insurance defense, personal injury...

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.

Joe has litigated cases in Ohio to successful conclusion over the past 26 years with amounts in controversy ranging from several hundred thousand dollars to several million dollars in dispute. He has been recognized by his peers as an Ohio Super Lawyer, a recognition given to only 5 percent of the state’s attorneys. Mr. Griffith has been certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a National Civil Trail Advocacy since 2004. During his career, Mr. Griffith has conducted well over 100 trials and has had many successful jury verdicts for his clients. Joe Griffith is a native of Portsmouth,...

Having been born and raised in Athens, Tennessee, Josh’s small-town conservative values have been motivation in achieving his goals of being an attorney and being a zealous advocate for individual’s rights. Josh attended McMinn County High School where he played football and baseball and graduated in 1990. In 1995, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Middle Tennessee State University. While attending college, he served as President of the MTSU chapter of Sigma Chi and is still an active member of the organization’s alumni association. After graduation, Josh attended Nashville School of Law while working full-time for the...

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...

Cathy spent the early years of her life growing up on a farm in the Midwest. Following high school, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before attending Indiana University at South Bend. Cathy graduated from Indiana University at South Bend with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Administration. After graduation, she worked for several years for a consulting firm before deciding to attend law school. Cathy received her law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School.

Cathy worked for several firms, and for the State of Tennessee’s Department of Human Services, before joining Hughes & Coleman in 2006....

Laura Baker is a shareholder at The Law Offices of John Day, P.C., where she represents clients in personal injury, wrongful death, and tort litigation cases. Laura's reputation and experience have earned her several accolades. Most recently, Laura was awarded the "Rising Star Award" by the Lawyers' Association for Women in 2016. She was also recognized as an Athena Young Professional Award Nominee in 2016. In 2015, Laura was a winner of the Nashville Business Journal's “40 Under 40” award. Laura has been recognized as one of the “Best of the Bar” by the Nashville Business Journal in 2015 and...

Micah Gonzalez is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) focused on brand, data, and regulatory law. She helps high-impact, high-growth companies comply with and benefit from various state and federal data, intellectual property, and regulatory frameworks in order to maximize their benefit and commercial potential.

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...

I am a personal injury attorney based in Nashville and serve as the managing partner at Larry R. Williams, PLLC. My practice covers a wide range of cases throughout Middle Tennessee, including car wrecks, motorcycle accidents, large truck collisions, construction site accidents, and various other types of negligent injury and wrongful death claims. I also represent businesses in day-to-day matters and litigate business disputes. Additionally, I oversee the firm's Social Security Disability practice and handle estate planning and probate matters. In 2015, I was honored with the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell. I maintain a 10.0 rating on Avvo and...

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...

Tyler DeWitt has extensive experience advocating on behalf of clients, including individuals, small businesses, corporations, and estates. Tyler focuses his practice on matters involving both federal and state tax controversy and litigation. Tyler regularly represents clients facing tax-related criminal charges and investigations, IRS collections (garnishments, levies, liens, IRS Revenue Officer enforcement), disputes in U.S. Tax Court, audits, tax debt settlements, international tax issues, back tax return filings, and certain state Sales & Use tax issues (both civil and criminal). In addition to his practice, Tyler is a prolific speaker and regularly contributes his expertise as both an attorney and certified public...

Zach Wiley is a trial lawyer handling personal injury cases in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Wiley received his Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from Austin College in Sherman, Texas. He received his law degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. While in law school Mr. Wiley was a member of the moot court team and served on the moot court board. After law school, Mr. Wiley practiced commercial litigation in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2013 Mr. Wiley relocated to Nashville to serve as a Federal Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Chief Judge William J. Haynes, Jr. in the United...

Mr. Smith has been a trial attorney for 40 years and was a professor of law at Vanderbilt Law School. For the past twenty years, he has represented individuals in plaintiff's personal injury litigation. He is the founder of DRS Law, a top-rated personal injury law firm in Nashville, Tennessee. DRS Law has grown into a five-lawyer team that includes his three sons. EXPERIENCE Mr. Smith has been recognized by his peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America in Personal Injury Litigation and as one of the Best Lawyers in Tennessee. The Business Tennessee Best Lawyers List described Mr....

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...

Kathryn dedicates herself to achieving success and accepting challenges. She graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Justice Administration. She then went on to obtain her Juris Doctor at Northern Kentucky University – Salmon P. Chase College of Law. After graduating, she decided it was time to see the world and traveled to twenty-seven countries over a span of five months. After her adventures abroad, she returned home to Bowling Green, Kentucky to study for the Kentucky bar exam. While studying for the bar exam, Kathryn decided to...

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...

Eric was born and raised in Ohio and resided there while attending undergraduate and law school. Following law school, Eric moved to Kentucky and began practicing in a small office. Eric soon moved to a larger city and began narrowing his practice to personal injury. He has successfully represented plaintiffs throughout Kentucky and Tennessee for the last 22 years. For Eric, the legal profession continually challenges him to perform at his best while granting him the ability to serve others. In 2017, he was selected by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys as part of the 10 Best Attorneys for...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Focused on building practical skills to assist his future career, C.J. spent the majority of his law school career working in litigation. C.J. gained experience as a law clerk working for a prominent family law firm in Memphis. Through this law firm, he was able to learn through court room trials, hearings, and deposition observations. He was also able to work on high profile cases such as one involving the legitimacy of marriages conducted by ministers who were ordained through online churches. On top of being a law clerk, C.J. served as a student attorney at the same time in the...

After receiving his Juris Doctorate, Daniel began his career in general practice, helping clients in a variety of areas ranging from business and family law to criminal defense and personal injury in circuit courts and the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. During this time, he also served as a Special Assistant to the Corporate Counsel of Walworth County, Wisconsin, and handled Child/Juvenile in Need of Protection or Services, as well as guardianships, protective placements, chapter 51, and zoning matters. In 2012, Daniel was elected to the position of District Attorney in Walworth County, Wisconsin. At the time, he was the youngest...

Shannon received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, where she majored in business and specialized in communication studies. This specialization in communication studies laid the groundwork for her to effectively advocate on behalf of her clients. After completing her undergraduate degree, Shannon earned a scholarship to attend Florida State University College of Law, a Top 50 law school in the country. There, she furthered her trial advocacy skills as a member of its prestigious mock trial team. All the while, she received recognition for making the Dean’s List. Shannon began her legal career in Central Florida in 2012. Her...

Mr. Day has been a civil trial attorney for more than 30 years. He is also a certified as a civil trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. In addition, Mr. Day is certified by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys as a legal malpractice specialist and has board certification In Civil Pretrial Practice Advocacy by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification. Mr. Day graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from East Tennessee State University in 1980. He earned his Bachelor's degree in just 15 months. His honors and activities included...

After earning her Bachelor of Science in Political Science, she went on to earn a Master of Science degree in education and a Master of Science degree in History from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She then went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from Nashville School of Law. Her family’s military background, including her grandfather (a WWII veteran) and father (a Vietnam veteran) instilled in her a sense of duty and started her personal journey. Theresa began her personal journey advocating for her father as he fought for veteran’s benefits while overcoming his war-related injuries. Through this process, she developed...

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...

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...