Top Business Lawyers Near Me in Brentwood Area

Tom Shumate created Meridian Law, PLLC, in response to our changing times and client needs. Meridian Law’s business model is built around providing superior service and sound legal advice at a fair cost to individuals and businesses across Tennessee. Service areas include 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.. Tom graduated with honors from Vanderbilt University in 1995 and from Notre Dame Law School in 1998. He returned to and has been practicing law in his hometown of Nashville, TN since.. Tom is actively involved in the Nashville community and various Bar organizations and has been recognized for his contributions to both:. • In 2011 and 2013, he was selected as a “Rising Star” by the Mid-South edition of Super Lawyers Magazine.• Perfect 10 rating from Avvo (www.avvo.com).• Past member of the Editorial Board of Law Practice Today webzine and current member of the Editorial Board of Law Practice magazine, monthly publications of the Law Practice Section of the American Bar Association.• Two-time past Chair of the Law Office Technology and Management Section of the Tennessee Bar Association.• Lectures to attorneys across the state and writes on issues related to covenants not to compete, legal ethics, legal marketing, and technology.• Served on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee for many years and has raised more than $140, for the agency over the past ten years through the annual “Lawyers for Littles” Bowl for Kids’ Sake event he co-founded.• Past-Chair of the Father Ryan Alumni Board and the School Board of Christ the King School.. When not resolving his clients' matters as efficiently as possible, Tom enjoys spending time with his wife and children, reading, running, and supporting Vanderbilt and Notre Dame athletics.

Thirty-seven years of successful legal practice in personal injury, trucking, banking, business, collection, commercial, construction, contract, employment, insurance, landlord/tenant, lender liability, products liability, real estate, and workers compensation law using my direct, action-oriented approach in identifying and solving problems.

Thank you for visiting my Avvo page.  I have been a licensed attorney in the great state of Tennessee since 2012.  I am a business and contract lawyer, so if you need a lawyer for your business issues or a detailed lawyer to create a contract for you, call me!  I'm also a personal injury lawyer, so if you've been injured due to someone else's negligence and through no fault of your own, you will want me by your side.  I'm also a capable elder law attorney: it's important to know the ins and outs of growing old.  Call me today for a case evaluation.

I am an “AV” rated attorney, admitted in both Tennessee and Alabama. As of February 2024, I have chosen to continue my 31+ year career with Meridian Law in Brentwood, providing legal services to Tennessee companies and individuals. Over the years, my practice areas have included insurance defense, personal injury, products-liability, labor and employment (L & E) litigation and training (including ERISA disability and other fringe benefits), and complex commercial, business and other general civil litigation (contract and tort).

I am a Certified Public Accountant in Missouri, and have an LL.M. in taxation from Washington University School of Law.  My legal career has been centered on commerical litigation, for which I have been named a Missouri-Kansas Super Lawyer for many years, and on certain areas of personal injury litigation, including medical malpractice and Jones Act/FELA.  I have also spent a considerable time in the areas of maritime law and tax controversy work.  I have tried many bench and jury cases in Missouri, Illinois and other states, and have appeared in oral argument in numerous appellate courts, including the United States Supreme Court.  I am an avid golfer, but my busy law practice keeps my handicap too high.  I enjoy outdoor and lake related activities.  I am married and have five children, all boys.

Gilkes is an attorney with over 14 years of experience in the legal profession. He began his legal career as a paralegal with Weeks and Anderson, a law association located in Nashville, Tennessee. He worked under Kent M. Weeks, a nationally renowned higher education attorney.. While working at Weeks and Anderson, Gilkes was a contributing writer for College Legal Information and Lex Collegii, a legal newsletter for independent colleges and universities, published by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. Gilkes co-authored more than 20 articles on an array of legal topics ranging from hazing and bullying to sexual violence and disability discrimination.. Gilkes is a graduate of the Nashville School of Law. During his tenure at the Nashville School of Law, Gilkes was elected to the Honor Council twice, received the Scottish Rite Scholarship, was selected by the Tennessee Bar Association's Diversity Leadership Council, and earned a position in the school’s distinguished Cooper’s Inn.. Gilkes' practice focuses on civil litigation and compliance. He has experience handling cases involving business law, construction litigation, breach of contract, tort, probate administration and litigation, and divorce.. Gilkes is the co-founder of the Covenant Law Group, PLLC, located in Brentwood, Tennessee. Gilkes is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association, the Tennessee Association for Justice, and the Nashville Bar Association. Gilkes lives in Nashville with his wife and two children. He is a guitar player and music enthusiast. Gilkes is a regular volunteer for the Red Cross and a member of Belmont Church in Nashville.