Nashville, Tenn., (July 29, 2026) – Bass, Berry & Sims is pleased to announce the addition of six attorneys across multiple offices and practice areas, further strengthening the firm’s national platform and multidisciplinary capabilities. Joining the firm are associates John Ryan Isaacson (Knoxville, Tennessee), Andrew N. James (Chicago), Hannah Ketring Brown (Nashville), Madeline Moriarty (Nashville), and John Willis Stevens (Nashville), along with Senior Intellectual Property Attorney Caitlin W. Tarpley (Nashville).
Spanning corporate and finance, healthcare, litigation and investigations, and intellectual property, these additions reflect the firm’s continued investment in strategic growth across key markets and service lines. Their arrival further enhances the firm’s ability to serve clients with integrated teams that bring deep industry knowledge and experience across a broad range of business and legal challenges.
“These six attorneys represent the kind of strategic, firmwide growth that strengthens our platform for clients across the country,” said Todd Rolapp, managing partner of Bass, Berry & Sims. “Their experience spans multiple offices, practices, and industries, reinforcing the collaborative approach that defines our firm. As we continue to grow, we remain focused on adding talented lawyers who deepen our capabilities, enhance our service offerings, and help us meet clients’ evolving needs.”
Six New Attorneys at Bass, Berry & Sims
John Ryan Isaacson (Associate, Knoxville) represents private equity firms, public corporations, private companies, and private equity investment funds in debt financing transactions. Additionally, he counsels private equity sponsors on acquisition facilities, capital call facilities, and credit facilities for their portfolio companies. Prior to joining Bass, Berry & Sims, Isaacson was an associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in its Houston office. He earned a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law (2022) and an undergraduate degree from Baylor University (2018).
* John Ryan Isaacson is currently licensed to practice in Texas and is registered to practice in Tennessee pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 7 Sec. 10.07
Andrew N. James (Associate, Chicago) advises private equity sponsors, investment firms, emerging growth companies, and public and private companies on acquisitions, divestitures, equity investments, and other strategic corporate matters. He regularly provides counsel on corporate governance, transaction execution, and investment-related matters. In addition to his experience in domestic matters, he has extensive experience with international transactions. Prior to joining Bass, Berry & Sims, James was a corporate associate at several leading international law firms and a counsel at a leading global asset manager on its digital infrastructure platform. He earned a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center (2019) and an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University (2016).
Hannah Ketring Brown (Associate, Nashville) provides healthcare regulatory and transactional counsel as it relates to mergers, acquisitions, compliance, and operational matters. As part of her practice, she advises clients on healthcare and corporate-related matters, including state and federal compliance and operational issues; Medicare, Medicaid, and third-party payor reimbursement; fraud and abuse; and HIPAA. Prior to joining Bass, Berry & Sims, Ketring Brown was an associate at Holland & Knight, LLP. Before joining the legal industry, she was a teacher through Teach for America. Ketring Brown earned a law degree from Belmont University College of Law (2022), a Master of Education from Lipscomb University College of Education (2016), and an undergraduate degree from Oklahoma Christian University (2014).
Madeline Moriarty (Associate, Nashville) represents clients in complex business litigation and government investigations. Prior to joining Bass, Berry & Sims, Moriarty was an attorney at Alston & Bird LLP in its New York office. During law school, she served as a trial unit intern at the Office of the Federal Public Defender, Middle District of Tennessee and as an intern with the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee. Moriarty earned a law degree from Vanderbilt Law School (2024) and an undergraduate degree from Kenyon College (2021).
* Madeline Moriarty is currently licensed to practice in New York and is registered to practice in Tennessee pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 7 Sec. 10.07
John Willis Stevens (Associate, Nashville) advises clients on intellectual property (IP) strategy, portfolio development, and technology‑driven transactions. Drawing on a background in mechanical engineering, he collaborates with companies across a range of industries to protect, manage, and commercialize IP assets while supporting broader business and growth objectives. Prior to joining Bass, Berry & Sims, Stevens was an associate in the Nashville offices of an international law firm and an IP boutique law firm. He earned his law degree from Belmont University College of Law (2022) and his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama (2019).
Caitlin W. Tarpley (Senior Intellectual Property Attorney, Nashville) represents clients on a broad range of transactions involving the development, transfer, and licensing of intellectual property (IP) and technology and helps navigate issues involving IP ownership, commercialization, and protection. Prior to rejoining Bass, Berry & Sims, where she began her career as an associate, Tarpley served as associate general counsel at ModMed. She earned her law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law (2019) and an undergraduate degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2016).
About Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
Bass, Berry & Sims is an independent, nationally recognized law firm dedicated to helping clients go confidently through complex legal challenges. We deliver high-caliber counsel and exceptional service to leading middle market companies across industry sectors, with particular focus in the healthcare and private equity industries. For over a century, our team has partnered with clients across the country on sophisticated transactions, significant litigation and investigations, and international regulatory matters. We collaborate seamlessly with deep experience across practice areas, industries, and geographies to provide innovative, business-focused solutions that create measurable value. For more information, visit www.bassberry.com.