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02 Feb, 2023 by Crystal vernon
06 Jan, 2023 by Colin stokes
31 May, 2022 by Jason strong
Great firm. They represent me on my will, trusts, business, etc. They have always been good with me. They care. My primary attorney is William Harbison, one of the partners, and he is a great guy. I'm very fortunate to have found him and this firm. Plus, he knows many people in other areas, that he can recommend. I found my accountant through him. I enjoy working with him and others at this firm. They care about their clients.
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02 Feb, 2023 by Crystal vernon
06 Jan, 2023 by Colin stokes
31 May, 2022 by Jason strong
Great firm. They represent me on my will, trusts, business, etc. They have always been good with me. They care. My primary attorney is William Harbison, one of the partners, and he is a great guy. I'm very fortunate to have found him and this firm. Plus, he knows many people in other areas, that he can recommend. I found my accountant through him. I enjoy working with him and others at this firm. They care about their clients.
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02 Feb, 2023 by Crystal vernon
06 Jan, 2023 by Colin stokes
31 May, 2022 by Jason strong
Great firm. They represent me on my will, trusts, business, etc. They have always been good with me. They care. My primary attorney is William Harbison, one of the partners, and he is a great guy. I'm very fortunate to have found him and this firm. Plus, he knows many people in other areas, that he can recommend. I found my accountant through him. I enjoy working with him and others at this firm. They care about their clients.
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02 Feb, 2023 by Crystal vernon
06 Jan, 2023 by Colin stokes
31 May, 2022 by Jason strong
Great firm. They represent me on my will, trusts, business, etc. They have always been good with me. They care. My primary attorney is William Harbison, one of the partners, and he is a great guy. I'm very fortunate to have found him and this firm. Plus, he knows many people in other areas, that he can recommend. I found my accountant through him. I enjoy working with him and others at this firm. They care about their clients.
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02 Feb, 2023 by Crystal vernon
06 Jan, 2023 by Colin stokes
31 May, 2022 by Jason strong
Great firm. They represent me on my will, trusts, business, etc. They have always been good with me. They care. My primary attorney is William Harbison, one of the partners, and he is a great guy. I'm very fortunate to have found him and this firm. Plus, he knows many people in other areas, that he can recommend. I found my accountant through him. I enjoy working with him and others at this firm. They care about their clients.
Read more
02 Feb, 2023 by Crystal vernon
06 Jan, 2023 by Colin stokes
31 May, 2022 by Jason strong
Great firm. They represent me on my will, trusts, business, etc. They have always been good with me. They care. My primary attorney is William Harbison, one of the partners, and he is a great guy. I'm very fortunate to have found him and this firm. Plus, he knows many people in other areas, that he can recommend. I found my accountant through him. I enjoy working with him and others at this firm. They care about their clients.
Read more
02 Feb, 2023 by Crystal vernon
06 Jan, 2023 by Colin stokes
31 May, 2022 by Jason strong
Great firm. They represent me on my will, trusts, business, etc. They have always been good with me. They care. My primary attorney is William Harbison, one of the partners, and he is a great guy. I'm very fortunate to have found him and this firm. Plus, he knows many people in other areas, that he can recommend. I found my accountant through him. I enjoy working with him and others at this firm. They care about their clients.
Read more
02 Feb, 2023 by Crystal vernon
06 Jan, 2023 by Colin stokes
31 May, 2022 by Jason strong
Great firm. They represent me on my will, trusts, business, etc. They have always been good with me. They care. My primary attorney is William Harbison, one of the partners, and he is a great guy. I'm very fortunate to have found him and this firm. Plus, he knows many people in other areas, that he can recommend. I found my accountant through him. I enjoy working with him and others at this firm. They care about their clients.
Read more
02 Feb, 2023 by Crystal vernon
06 Jan, 2023 by Colin stokes
31 May, 2022 by Jason strong
Great firm. They represent me on my will, trusts, business, etc. They have always been good with me. They care. My primary attorney is William Harbison, one of the partners, and he is a great guy. I'm very fortunate to have found him and this firm. Plus, he knows many people in other areas, that he can recommend. I found my accountant through him. I enjoy working with him and others at this firm. They care about their clients.
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02 Dec, 2022 by Carol
We were dealing with a stressful incident and we reached out to Ryan and he listened carefully and told us that he could help.
We have no knowledge about court procedures - Ryan and Mackenzie were very helpful and answered each question promptly.
They dug into the case and were meticulous with details and put in the time to understand the facts of the case. They kept us informed and updated about the case.
We were nervous going into court, but Ryan shined with his experience and expertise with court procedures and details about our case. We got to sit back and relax.
We highly recommend him and Mackenzie.
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13 Oct, 2022 by Eric
Ryan referred me to Rob Mckinney for a DUI Offense, which was reduced to a reckless drive endangerment.
Both Rob & Ryan were incredibly professional and meticulous with their work in assistance with any questions I had.
I highly recommend anyone needing their services in DUI Charges or Real Estate Transactions.
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04 Oct, 2022 by Courtney
Ryan Pratt is incredible!!!! I reached out to Ryan for help with my case and he responded immediately. Throughout the entire process Ryan and Mackenzie were incredibly understanding and patient and responded to all my questions/needs very quickly. I cannot say enough great things about them - if you need legal support you found the right place!! HUGE thanks to both Ryan and Mackenzie for helping win my cases and putting my incident behind me.
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18 Jan, 2024 by Mark regan
Very professional and ethical firm!
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14 Oct, 2023 by Lydia sims
05 Jul, 2023 by Dhruv patel
Gil and george were just simply amazing. They helped me reach a outcome that was very favorable for me. They exceeded my expectations and provide very helpful advice and support. I recommend these guys!! This is
Who I will
Be using going forward for all my legal needs. Hopefully I never have to!
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30 Aug, 2021 by David
Will went far and above what he could have in his work for me. I appreciate his hard work and dedication. He is a true professional and I highly recommend him as an attorney! Thank you sir!!
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13 Jul, 2015 by Tina
I meet Will today while sitting in the EEOC office. I watched how he came to the office for 2 clients to get the EEOC papers for them, and overheard the brief conversation. I was very impressed.
It's been a long time since I've come across an attorney that takes the time and go the extra steps for their clients. I know because I am a Rule 31 listed mediator to work on Civil cases, Family cases, and specially trained for Domestic Violence cases.
I immediately asked for his name and number to handle my case. He took the time to talk to me without rushing. That's what you call a real go getter, serious about his work and clients.
First impressions is everything. He gave me eye to eye contact, a strong hand shake, and a good luck. Although I haven't got the chance to meet with Will as his client I can give him 5 stars right now. I will be calling him tomorrow.
After the meeting, I'll 5 star the keep me informed.
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14 Feb, 2013 by Holly
Will helped me with a car wreck matter, and I was very pleased with his representation. He was knowledge on handling insurance companies and the various issues that came up with my case. I recommend him highly.
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13 Feb, 2018 by Brian
I've reached out to Forest a couple times for help answering various business and contract law questions related to my property tax consulting business. He's been great to work with. He's very thorough. And he explains things in a way that's easy to understand.
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11 Nov, 2015 by Robert
I received a cease & desist for an internet post.
Mr. Hamilton took the time to review our questions in great detail. Explaining in layman's terms so I could understand each item.
If he were in my area and licensed to practice here, the first Attorney I would call is Bryan Hamilton.
Thank You.
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29 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous
My experience with AvvoAdvisor was great! The attorney (Forest Hamilton) called me promptly and was very helpful in reviewing a document.
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16 May, 2018 by Augusta
Karl D. Warden is an outstanding attorney. He warmly welcomed me and intellectually clarified all of the legal details of my case. He eagerly made it as easy as possible to fast track my personal injury case and he willingly worked with other lawyers from the state of Vermont to help me receive justice from a bodily accident. Very few lawyers these days have the charm, wit, and bravado as Karl Warden. Chivalry certainly isn’t dead with this wonderful professional!
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28 Nov, 2017 by Brenda
Mr. Warden handled multiple legal problems for me. He is very astute in many legal areas. He also has a great attorney/client relationship.
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17 Oct, 2011 by Cindy
Karl handled the elder law work for my parents. I would recommend his services to everyone.
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12 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
I would highly recommend Jake VanAusdall! He represented one of our family businesses and was instrumental in resolving a lease settlement. He was very upfront with fee schedule, what to expect, options and advice to best meet our goals and objectives. It was extremely easy to work with him even though we had to remotely to settle this case. His efficiency and professionalism will definitely put you at ease!
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22 Aug, 2020 by Anonymous
My experience with Jake is the best I’ve had with any attorney I’ve found on Avvo—or any online legal marketplace—to-date. He was responsive, kind, knowledgeable and helpful, all of which I had yet to encounter. I’ll definitely go to him for any/all future legal needs that fall within his area of expertise, and, if you’re reading this, I recommend you do, too.
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27 Oct, 2018 by Aley
I am living in Phoenix and had a lingering issue in Nashville. I hired Jake VanAusdall while living in Phoenix and never returned to Nashville during the time. He was able to help me without issue with that distance and I never had to wait long for a response, even with a time difference. He made me feel confident about the case from day one!
Additionally, when I called the offices for anything, whoever answered was always kind and helpful. It is clearly a culture established at this firm.
I will absolutely recommend this firm and Jake to anyone that needs services in the Nashville area!
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27 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
Sanders has assisted me with organizational structural issues in very complex transactions. He did so with professionalism, courtesy and with excellent results. His knowledge about the issues and structure were strong and he assisted me in a very timely manner.
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27 Aug, 2015 by Patty
I started working with Chenault over a year ago. He understands people and complex situations. He takes the time to know and understand what is going in each situation. He values what his clients want most, yet is not afraid to advise them accordingly. His ability to visualize a complex deal structure coming together is a gift. His understanding of the law, financials, taxes, and planning for the future is priceless. So far I have found him to be worth the time and money.
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17 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
I have worked with Chenault for more than a decade. He helped me navigate the planning of my estate in advance of the sale of a business and ultimately the sale itself. He then handled a complicated transaction involving over 50 separate real estate investment entities and an upreit transaction in 2009. Since then I have used Chenault as my private counsel and never take any other major firms advice before having his review. Over and over again, his advice changes the deal structure. He is very creative. He is hard to get in touch with sometimes but when he is on point and engaged on my need, he is at the result I need in one meeting and understands my unique needs. Worth every penny for me.
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30 Apr, 2020 by Lori
Mr Mihalczo represented me in a legal case recently that proves to be significantly more complicated than expected. He proved to be an excellent choice to represent me, showing sincere concern for my situation and representing me professionally with involved entities with excellent results. I highly recommend him for any personal injury or workers compensation case you may find yourself involved with. This is a lawyer with a huge heart and sincere compassion for his clients. Thanks to Him, I won my case!
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29 Dec, 2018 by Jeremy
Tom treats you as a human. He took care of me from the very first details to the final steps. I knew what I was going through the whole time, and he was extremely professional throughout the process. Can't recommend him enough.
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27 Feb, 2018 by Michael
Super satisfied with the work of Thomas. I hired him to take care of a legal issue and he was on well ahead of the whole process. I didn't have a worry about his capabilities. He is very knowledgeable about law in general and seemed very detailed with his knowledge. He has the best rates from the others, and by far the best service. Very blunt and focused on doing only the best job. I would recommend Thomas to everyone.
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17 Jul, 2020 by Anonymous
Alandis is a great lawyer who vigorously represented me in a complex termination involving sexual harassment as well as gender and race issues. He was very easy to talk to and work with. That said, he was assertive with my former employer and I felt like he really stood up for me, that he was in my corner. My case was quickly resolved and I am happy with the outcome. I strongly recommend Alandis and would return to him for any other legal matter.
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01 May, 2020 by Valery
While I was out of town, the contractor hired to built onto my house made a significant error and deviated from the building plan. The contractor was refusing to correct the mistake so I contacted Alandis to understand my options and get the contractor to correct the building mistake he made. Thanks to Alandis, the contractor went back and fixed the error he made. Having Alandis on my side helped me gain piece of mind since I was out of town when this stressful situation occurred. The issue was resolved quickly thanks to Alandis, and now that the addition is complete, I’m content with the result. Had I not contacted Alandis, I would have risked extended construction delays and added costs because the contractor wanted me to pay extra to fix the error that the contractor made. Thank you Alandis! I really appreciate everything.
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13 Dec, 2018 by Calvin
I've worked with Alandis on a number of Intellectual Property and Entertainment law matters. Most recently, fundraising efforts for a short film, and procuring the media rights of a novel. He is extremely knowledgable about the various legal machinations of the entertainment industry, and how the pieces fit together. He has excellent contacts, and continues to build more, which is a huge asset in Entertainment Law. Never resting on his laurels, Alandis is constantly learning, about cutting edge technologies, keeping up to date with trends in the industry, and any new case law. He is fair, reasonable, smart, and easy to work with. If there is something he doesn't know, he will either research the answer, or point you in the direction of someone who is more versed in a specific topic. His primary goal is to be helpful to you and your case. I give him my highest recommendation.
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05 Feb, 2013 by John
Bankruptcy is not an easy thing to go through, but having a knowledgeable, dependable, helpful, tenacious attorney to lead the way makes the experience a lot easier to handle. Things were done correctly the first time and the process was expedited extremely efficiently. I would recommend Lynda Jones to anyone in need of a bankruptcy attorney.
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19 Dec, 2012 by Chelsea
We went into Ms Jones' office not knowing what we needed to do or where to even start. She and her office staff took care of us from beginning to end. They explained our options and offered suggestions regarding our situation. Emails were answered immediately and we never felt rushed when we had a ton of questions. I highly recommend Lynda Jones to anyone considering bankruptcy.
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22 Jun, 2010 by Anonymous
Lynda, and her staff, were very kind and respectful during my bankruptcy process. Lynda was very understanding of my situation and took the time to answer all of my questions and presented me with the options that best suited my needs. She did such a great job that I recommended her to two aquaintances that also used her and had an experience equal to mine.
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14 Dec, 2012 by Sarah
I would highly recommend Amy Wood to anyone looking for a trustworthy, knowledgable and professional lawyer. She was always very well informed regarding all aspects in helping me buy an existing dental practice, including contract negotiations. She also helped set up the dental practice as a PLLC. She was thorough and always responded promptly to any questions or concerns I had. She is an excellent asset for anyone looking at buying an existing business, starting a small business or anyone looking for a business related attorney.
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07 Dec, 2012 by Tristan
Amy Wood and her colleagues at Rudy, Wood, Winstead, and Williams have been a vital resource for us during the last 3 years, and have helped us navigate a variety of legal and administrative issues with our business--from entity formation to dealing with regulatory and government issues. Amy has been extremely professional, reliable, and responsive and stands out among our professional relationships as someone whose services and knowledge we will continue to count on for the long-term. I highly recommend Amy if you are in need of legal services in the greater Nashville area, especially in the fields of business, real estate, or government relations.
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02 Dec, 2012 by Keri mcinnis
I have known Amy for several years and have referred many clients to Amy for her legal advice on business, estate, and real estate matters. Amy is always professional, responsive and puts her clients' needs first. All of my clients thoroughly enjoy working with Amy.
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04 Jul, 2019 by Monique
Brian was extremely knowledgeable about the law and advised me correctly in layman's terms what our options were in our case. We took his advice and we won the case easily with his help. His ability to answer our questions and give immediate, helpful advice made what was one of our most difficult days in court, turn out to be a huge relief and benefit to my family. Thank you so much!
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10 May, 2019 by Priscilla
I had a small case but he helped me and my family tremendously , he was very easily contacted and was very reassuring and gave hope , and always said we can do what I wish to do in my case but gave his opinion on what I should and should not do and he led me into a direction I think that changed my life. I would recommend him highly to any one in criminal defense cases he’s awesome
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08 Feb, 2018 by Tiffany
Brian is handling my boyfriends case and he is great. Very professional and helped me understand all the charges and how each were being handled. He has my boyfriends best interest at heart. I’d recommend him to anyone.
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09 Nov, 2023 by Jere bonilla
18 Oct, 2022 by Teresa hunt
Kind professional
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26 Aug, 2011 by Anonymous
Very responsive, knowledgeable, and reasonable.
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24 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
I have consulted with Joe, on several occasions, that resulted in positive outcomes. He is as good as it gets in the legal field. I would recommend his services to anyone.
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24 Jan, 2018 by Wendell
I consulted with Joe on a matter concerning real estate. I found him very much on his game. Recommend highly.
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23 Jan, 2018 by Deborah
Joe's a great lawyer. We were happy with our outcome and how fast Joe was able to resolve our case.
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13 Apr, 2012 by Bob
I sit on the board of a non-profit and we have gone to him for legal advice many times. His input is so spot-on, that I have also used him personally, to develop my estate plan and to untangle some nasty issues for my partnership. It's rare that see you this caliber of talent in our area, I have given Marc's name to several friends and colleagues, and will continue to do so.
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04 May, 2011 by Anonymous
Good lawyer, good guy, no bs- he gave me practical advice that solved my legal issues with my employer.
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16 Mar, 2011 by Anonymous
Marc helped me form my consulting business, and has provided valuable insight since then as I've grown. Highly reccommended, really knows his stuff!
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12 Dec, 2014 by Melanie
When my family needed a lawyer to help with abuse of our mother in a nursing home, we called Patrick. From the beginning it was evident that Patrick was passionate about our case. He truly cared about our family. He is very personable and professional. We were very satisfied with the outcome of our case . I highly recommend Patrick Barrett.
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11 Dec, 2014 by John
Mr Barrett has represented my company and myself for more than ten years. He works hard and can be trusted. His vast experience will put your mind at ease. He is a third generation attorney that truly puts his clients first. A great man.
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16 Sep, 2014 by Inge
I would like to take this opportunity to recommend the services of Patrick M. Barrett III. He represented me in a legal matter in which the outcome was favorable. Mr. Barrett teamed up with another attorney on my FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) case and was a major contributor in the success of it. He accompanied me during my deposition which was very intimidating; however, Mr. Barrett’s friendly nature and expertise reassured and put me at ease so that I was able to perform more proficiently.
You can be confident in his ethical standards, legal knowledge and excellent communication skills. I will continue to recommend Patrick M. Barrett III to my friends and family.
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11 Jan, 2016 by Shonda
Where to begin, I would most definitely recommend Mr John Horton to represent my friends and family. Mr Horton communicated with his colleagues and the Judge effortlessly. He listened to so many of my phone calls, when it appeared that I was worried or simply sick and tiered of this process, he would explain to me in detail why certain things would need to happen or steps we needed to take for the results we wanted, he's brilliant!!!!!! I also appreciate his ability to organize every detail, he always responded to my emails or phone calls promptly. If you are looking for an attorney who truly has your best interest in mind and is willing to listen to your needs and concerns in an already emotional and stressful time, John Horton is who you want to represent you.
Thank you again Mr John Horton for your professionalism, integrity, and knowledge, I don't know what I would have done without you.
Shonda
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17 Mar, 2015 by Isidro romero
Mr. Horton worked very well in my divorce, which was not easy and very drawn out. He stayed pushing my wishes for the divorce and also fought to make sure it was fair. I never had to deal with a paralegal also dealt with him directly. Very satisfied with his services.
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10 Mar, 2015 by Michael
Calls are returned, letters are sent, my issues are taken care of. With 4 restaurants in Nashville, the need to have someone of John's calibure is important to handle some of the dealings that I have to go through regarding legal situations. I highly recommend John for his tenacity, his ability to stay leval headed and his ability to be a bull dog.
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12 Oct, 2021 by Chris
Adam and his team was amazing at recognizing we are two extremely business professionals with 2 toddlers, and it was hard to be able to stay on track to get all of our stuff finished.
His team worked with us to break down the information in to chunks, and helped us build out a systematic plan to get our wills, trusts, and power of attorneys all set up for our family; and they didn't pressure us on the timeline when emergencies came up.
Adam took his time to explain all the in and outs of what we wanted to have in leyman's terms then broke it down on how they would do it in legal speak to protect our children and our legacy we are wanting to build.
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01 Oct, 2021 by Michael
I hired Mr. O'Dell to work a case for my company and I am so incredibly satisfied! He was professional, timely, and extremely intelegent. He represented myself and my company well and will call him again if I am ever in need of representation. He is MY attorney.
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27 Feb, 2019 by Dana
I spoke with Adam about a probate issue. He was very knowledgeable, professional and kind. If I end up needing to hire an attorney regarding this issue, he will definitely be my choice! I would highly recommend Adam to anyone seeking legal advice regarding a family law issue.
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09 Nov, 2014 by Guy
I met Adam through a mutual friend and served as his Realtor when he and his wife purchased a house. Shortly thereafter I needed to speak with an attorney about an issue I had with an irresponsible home contractor. I contacted Adam and explained exactly what had happened. Adam and I discussed the fact that the damage I incurred was relatively insignificant but that I wanted to explore my options all the same.
From beginning to end, Adam was available, helpful and informative. He seems willing to take on any kind of matter and do whatever is necessary. More importantly, Adam is just a good, honest, trustworthy person who does what he says he's going to do and conducts his business with integrity.
I recommend Adam without hesitation.
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04 Aug, 2014 by Jo
My will was very outdated, and Mr. Warren did a very thorough job of getting my wishes promptly documented before my trip out of the country.
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30 Jul, 2014 by Paul
Mr. Warren is an ethical, honest, and thorough attorney. He is someone I would recommend strongly.
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04 Nov, 2009 by Mike
As General Counsel with R.M.D. Corp., I have worked with Will for over 13 years, spanning Will's association with two law firms. Will is a classic combination of superior knowledge of his practice area, and vision for the total legal needs of his clients. When I have a Tennessee liquor issue, Will, his staff and associates handle it with no fuss and no mess. When I have any other legal question beyond my realm, I call Will and he knows where and to whom I should turn, including at times outside his firm if that's where the best help is. That isn't often, because Will's partners and associates are also excellent in their areas.
Will is accessible 24/7, and either replies promptly himself, or has the appropriate person reply and help. Will is very busy, but communication remains constant regardless. Will is also very efficient, so billing questions are extremely rare, and there is never a disagreement.
My employer provides management support services to 38 Hooters Restaurants franchises, and an assortment of bars in several states. We have a myriad of permitting, licensing, zoning, and assorted federal, state, and local administrative body issues. I work with attorneys in 5 states,. Most are excellent, but Will is at the very top of the list.
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02 Nov, 2009 by Vic
Mr. Cheek has always been responsive and puts complex issues into understandable terms. He does not over lawyer things. His fees are reasonable and he possesses a wide range of knowledge.
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02 Nov, 2009 by Jake
I have worked with Mr. Cheek for the past five years in obtaining alcohol licenses at state and city levels for a casual restaurant concept. His extensive knowledge of Tennessee alcoholic beverage law has been priceless in helping us open many new locations with full alcohol service as well as ensuring we remain in compliance once open to the public. His friendly and exctiing personality, responsiveness, and excellent staff make the process of obtaining & maintaining licenses seem very easy.
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03 May, 2023 by Anonymous
Jonathan and Gregory were awesome. They informed me about my case every step of the way and went toe to toe with the big insurance company and got me the money my family deserved.
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05 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
I highly recommend Larry Williams. I had never hired a lawyer before and I was impressed with the personal service he provided helping me with my accident. He took a lot of the uneasiness out of hiring a lawyer. I would definitely recommend him to anyone.
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02 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
I found Mr. Williams to be caring and he took the time to learn about my wreck. I was always kept up to date about what was happening with my file and I was very happy that I chose him as my attorney.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Business Lawyer Can Do for You
A business lawyer provides critical legal guidance and support to entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses. Whether you are forming a new company, drafting contracts, or navigating complex regulations, a business attorney ensures you are legally protected and operating within the law. They can also help prevent legal disputes or represent you in negotiations, transactions, or lawsuits that arise during the course of business operations.
Business lawyers have expertise in areas such as business formation, contract law, intellectual property, employment law, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance. They ensure that your business is compliant with relevant laws and help mitigate risks that could threaten your company's success.
When Should I Hire a Business Lawyer?
Hiring a business lawyer is essential at various stages of business development, including:
- Forming a business: When deciding on the best structure for your company (LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.), a lawyer can guide you through the registration and compliance process.
- Drafting contracts: If you need contracts for employees, partners, suppliers, or clients, a lawyer ensures these documents are legally sound and in your best interest.
- Mergers, acquisitions, or dissolutions: If you are buying, selling, or dissolving a company, legal counsel is critical to avoid costly mistakes.
- Compliance and regulatory issues: A lawyer can help navigate complex regulations, particularly in industries like healthcare, finance, or tech.
- Resolving disputes: Whether it's contract disagreements, intellectual property infringement, or employment issues, a business lawyer helps mediate, negotiate, or litigate on your behalf.
What Does a Business Lawyer Do?
Business lawyers provide a wide range of services that cater to different legal needs of a business. They can:
- Help you choose the best legal structure for your business.
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with employees, suppliers, customers, or business partners.
- Ensure regulatory compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
- Advise on tax strategies to minimize your business's tax burden.
- Assist with intellectual property protection, such as trademarks, patents, and copyrights.
- Handle mergers, acquisitions, and business sales, ensuring all legal paperwork is in order.
- Resolve disputes through negotiation, arbitration, or litigation.
How Are Business Lawyers Paid?
Business lawyers typically charge either by the hour or on a flat-fee basis, depending on the complexity of the work. Common payment structures include:
- Hourly rates: The lawyer charges based on the time spent working on your case. Rates vary depending on the lawyer's experience and location.
- Flat fees: For certain tasks, such as incorporating a business or drafting a standard contract, a lawyer may offer a flat fee.
- Retainer: Some businesses may hire a lawyer on retainer, paying a fixed amount each month to have ongoing access to legal services.
The payment structure is often discussed during an initial consultation so you can choose the one that best suits your business needs and budget.
How Much Does a Business Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a business lawyer depends on factors such as:
- The complexity of the legal issue: More complex matters, like mergers or intellectual property disputes, typically cost more than routine tasks like contract drafting.
- The lawyer's experience and location: More experienced lawyers or those in larger cities often charge higher fees.
- The nature of the billing arrangement: Hourly rates can range from $150 to $1,000 or more, depending on the lawyer's expertise. Flat fees are usually available for simpler matters like forming an LLC or drafting a standard contract.
It's essential to discuss fee structures upfront to avoid surprises.
Top Questions to Ask a Business Lawyer
Before hiring a business lawyer, ask the following questions during your consultation:
-
What is your experience with businesses like mine?
Find out if the lawyer has handled legal issues for companies in your industry. -
What services do you offer?
Ensure the lawyer can meet all your business's legal needs, from contract drafting to dispute resolution. -
What are your fees, and how do you bill?
Get clarity on how you'll be charged - whether by the hour, flat fee, or retainer. -
How do you handle conflicts of interest?
Ask how the lawyer ensures there is no conflict in representing your business. -
Can you provide references from other business clients?
Speaking with past clients will give you an idea of the lawyer's expertise and professionalism. -
Do you have experience in my specific industry?
Industry-specific knowledge can be crucial, especially in highly regulated fields like healthcare or finance.
How to Check the Credibility of a Business Lawyer
To ensure you're hiring a reputable business lawyer:
- Check state bar association records: Verify that the lawyer is in good standing and has no disciplinary actions against them.
- Look for client reviews or testimonials: Online reviews, testimonials, or word of mouth from other business owners can provide insight into the lawyer's reliability and effectiveness.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should have satisfied clients who can vouch for their services.
- Check professional memberships: Membership in respected legal organizations (such as the American Bar Association or a local business lawyer association) can signal credibility.
- Review their website and professional profile: A well-established lawyer typically has a professional website showcasing their areas of expertise, credentials, and case success.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most out of your first consultation with a business lawyer, prepare the following:
- A description of your business and its structure: This will help the lawyer understand your legal needs.
- Any current contracts or agreements: If you're seeking contract advice, bring copies of existing contracts.
- A list of legal issues or concerns: Be ready to discuss any potential legal challenges, such as regulatory compliance, disputes, or transactions.
- Financial documents: If applicable, bring financial records related to the legal matter you're seeking help with.
- Questions about fees and billing: Ensure you understand the lawyer’s payment structure and fees upfront.
By preparing these materials, you can ensure that your first meeting with a business lawyer is productive and informative.
