Top Best Business Lawyers | 10266 Available

It’s not often you find a lawyer who understands, truly, what it’s like to be an entrepreneur. But it’s because of that very fact Rachel Schaffer Lawson is pretty darn good at her job.. Rachel grew up in an entrepreneurial family — both her mother and grandfather owned their own businesses — so it seemed quite natural that their offspring found the study of business alluring. Rachel triple majored in marketing, entrepreneurship and music business at Northeastern University in Boston. After graduating, she attended Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans, studying business law, intellectual property law, and entertainment law (as well as the occasional beignet). Her stint in the “Big Easy” also included an internship with the National Football League’s New Orleans Saints.. When she decided she wanted to pursue entertainment law full time, she knew there was no better place than good ole’ Nashville. In 2011, one year after her move, she launched Schaffer Law Firm PLLC. She quickly discovered her passion and the firm’s mission; to provide quality and accessible legal services to innovative entrepreneurs, budding restaurateurs, impactful nonprofits, and the wide variety of arts and entertainment the city has to offer.. Rachel never realized just how much she would love her job, but some of the best surprises often happen that way. She loves helping local entrepreneurs succeed in their business ventures and delights in seeing her clients open their doors for business for the very first time.. When she’s not striving to help business owners succeed, you can find Rachel training for half and full marathons, trail running, power lifting at her favorite CrossFit box, cuddling one of her five “fur babies,” and enjoying a local craft brew with her husband, Tyler.. But to get to know Rachel a bit better, give her a call. Her infectious laugh and get done attitude will brighten your day.

Derek H. MacKay, a partner since 2013, is a member of Brown & James' Kansas City office.  Mr. MacKay's practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, including the defense of cases involving products liability, personal injury, arson-fraud litigation and commercial transportation.  He has tried cases and argued appeals in federal and state courts throughout Missouri and Kansas.  Significant recent matters include the defense of a semi-trailer manufacturer in a dealership contract dispute and the defense of a property developer wherein defense verdicts were obtained for the client.  He also represents insurance carriers in cases involving bad faith and extra-contractual liability disputes.  In addition, Mr. MacKay has counseled corporate clients with respect to employee non-compete agreements and claims of discrimination.  Mr. MacKay has been recoginzed by Super Lawyers from 2011- to the present.  Prior to joining Brown & James in 2006, he worked for an Am Law 100 firm in Chicago.

Brian grew up in northeast Mississippi near the birthplace of Elvis. He earned undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Performance from The University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Music degree in Trombone Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He briefly taught Rock and Roll History at his alma mater and served as an Adjunct Professor of Trombone at William Carey University, both in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Brian took a sabbatical from music to work as the director of the nonprofit organization Volunteer Hattiesburg, then as a REALTOR® on the Mississippi Gulf Coast before attending law school at the University of Nebraska College of Law.. Brian’s focus on business and intellectual property law began during law school when he founded the Nebraska Law and Business Association to emphasize the value of lawyers in the business realm. He also worked as a Contracts Analyst Intern at NUtech Ventures, the technology transfer office for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he gained experience working with patents and trademarks. As a third-year student, he assisted clients with business and intellectual property issues as part of the Weibling Entrepreneurship Clinic. Brian graduated from law school in 2019 with a concentration in intellectual property.. Brian moved to Nashville to participate in the vibrant and rapidly shifting landscape of the entertainment industry. Currently, his work focuses on helping clients make sound business decisions and preserving gains and assets through responsible estate planning.

I'm an attorney with the Gordon Law Group, leading the Wills, Trusts, and Estates Division. I practice out of both South Carolina and Tennessee helping clients statewide. When I am not working, I love spending time with my wife and our three dogs, attending my local church, and fly fishing.

I wanted to be a lawyer so that I could solve problems and help people. I see the legal profession as a service and my clients are at the center of everything I do. My goal for every legal matter is to build relationships and work together to find a way to achieve a client's goals.. As the daughter of an entrepreneur, I grew up working in a family-owned business and, as a result, I have a passion for helping businesses and the people that run them. I also know that starting and owning a business is a gutsy move made by people who have identified their goals and are willing to forge a path to achieve them. I see my role as building strong client relationships and sorting out the legal nuts and bolts of a situation so that clients are free to actually run their business.. Much of my work since becoming an attorney has been with companies in the new and constantly changing hemp industry. I love the challenge of keeping up with the constant changes that are taking place. I understand that in new businesses, particularly those in new industries, things move quickly and issues often arise without warning, making my devotion to clients and ability to think on my feet two of my best tools.. My approach to legal services offers flexible options for business formation, contracts, regulatory compliance in hemp and other industries, and advice. With a variety of fee structures and comprehensive packages for the different parts of a business’s life cycle, I'm happy to work with you to find the best solution for your specific needs.

John Ray Clemmons, a native of Lebanon, Tennessee, earned admission to the Tennessee Bar in May, 2007. John Ray received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Columbia University in 1999 and his Juris Doctor from theUniversity of Memphis School of Law in December, 2006.. John Ray was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives on November 4, 2014.  As a member of the Tennessee General Assembly, he representsDistrict 55 which is located entirely within Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County.. Super Lawyers named John Ray a "Rising Star" in business litigation in the Mid-South in 2014 and 2015.. John Ray is a Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator.  As a trained mediator, he brings the unique perspective of having represented plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of cases in mediation.. As a civil litigator, John Ray represents businesses and individuals, as plaintiffs and defendants. He has represented clients on issues including, but not limited to: acquisitions; administrative law; banking; business formation; civil rights; construction; contracts; employment; negotiations; personal injury; product liability; real estate transactions and disputes; Title IX; and, copyright and trademark registration.. With an interest in supporting the arts and entrepreneurial spirit of Nashville, John Ray provides pro bono legal services to deserving local artists and entrepreneurs as an active member of the Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts through the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville.. Prior to practicing law, John Ray spent time in public service and politics, during which he served as a legislative aide for a U.S. congressman in Washington, DC, Political Director of the Tennessee Democratic Party, and consultant and advisor to multiple local and statewide political campaigns.. While attending Columbia University, John Ray rowed on the Columbia lightweight crew and performed research for visiting professor George Stephanopoulos.. John Ray and his wife, Tamara, are the proud parents of John, Finn, Henry, and Wrigley, their dog. Outside the office and between civic activities, John Ray spends his free time with his family, supporting local sports teams and playing ice hockey as the captain of an adult hockey league team.

Brock was born and raised on a grain farm in central Illinois and graduated from Drake University Law School. Prior to attending Drake University Law School, Brock worked for one of the largest manufacturers of construction equipment on the globe in several different engineering and business roles. Upon graduating from law school, Brock managed the contracts department for a United States federal ammunition manufacturing contractor. After that he managed the first iteration of Menold Law, PLLC. During his role as a solo practitioner he was offered a chance to go in house for a large insurance and consulting company in West Des Moines, and thereafter he served as head counsel for a multi-million dollar tech company in the area. After being in-house for several years Brock went on to manage the used equipment department for one of the largest equipment dealers in Georgia but ultimately came back to his roots on the farm in the Midwest to again practice law in the great state of Iowa.. Brock is skilled and experienced in negotiation, contract drafting, compliance, risk management, procurement consulting, estate planning, agricultural law, real estate and equipment finance and transactions, personal and business tax, and civil litigation and enjoys every aspect of the practice of law. His work is truly his passion and he aspires to be trusted as "your personal legal resource."

Stefanie Thomas is a fierce advocate. Whether helping a client with family law issues, resolving a personal injury matter or devising a plan of action in complex litigation, she focuses on ensuring the best outcome possible for her clients. Stef understands that legal matters can be extremely stressful for her clients, so she works to alleviate as much of the stress as possible. “The most rewarding part of my profession is knowing that day in and day out I help my clients resolve complex legal issues that are impacting their lives,” Stef says. “I pride myself in anticipating roadblocks and coming up with creative, effective and appropriate solutions to my clients’ problems.”. Stef joined Wandro after her graduation from Drake University Law School. While at Drake, she was managing editor of Drake Law Review. Her article, “Weeding the Garden: Finding a Solution to ‘Garden Variety’ Emotional Distress Claims and Discovery Issues," was published in Volume 62, Issue 2 of Drake Law Review. Her article was recently cited by the Iowa Supreme Court in Fagan v. Iddings.  Stef also interned with Representative Chip Baltimore, the Chair of the Iowa House Judiciary Committee, and with Justice Edward Mansfield of the Iowa Supreme Court during her time at Drake. Prior to joining Wandro, Stef clerked at LaMarca & Landry, P.C. in Des Moines where she focused primarily on personal injury and complex litigation.