Nashville, Tenn., (January 12, 2017) – Bass, Berry & Sims PLC is pleased to announce the election of 11 new members in the firm: Lillian M. Blackshear, J. Taylor Chenery, John W. Dawson IV, Leslie M. Ford, John L. Fuller, Brian R. Iverson, Eric J. Knox, Michael R. Kuffner, Frank M. Pellegrino, Michael A. Stewart and Nesrin G. Tift.
“I am honored to announce the elevation to membership of these 11 deserving peers. This promotion is a reflection of their valued contributions to the practice of law and to the firm. They each have continuously demonstrated a strong commitment to delivering excellent client value and I congratulate them on this accomplishment,” said Todd Rolapp, the firm’s managing partner.
Lillian M. Blackshear (Nashville) – Blackshear represents an array of governmental entities, investment banks and commercial banks on public finance matters and debt issuances throughout Tennessee. Since 2010, she has represented clients in public finance transactions totaling more than $10 billion. Blackshear earned a J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law (2008) and a B.A. from Spelman College (2005).
J. Taylor Chenery (Nashville) – Chenery centers his practice on government compliance and investigations and related litigation, focusing on issues of healthcare fraud and abuse. He has significant experience defending False Claims Act lawsuits and with other complex commercial litigation matters. Chenery obtained a J.D. from Emory University School of Law (2008) and a B.A. from the University of Virginia (2003).
John W. Dawson IV (Nashville) – Dawson advises businesses, utilities and municipalities on environmental and construction law matters. He also represents manufacturers in products liability litigation. Dawson is a professional engineer and works closely with clients to manage their environmental risks during both transactions and operations. He represents clients in environmental disputes and regulatory enforcement actions and counsels clients regarding environmental permitting and compliance. Dawson earned a J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law (2008), an M.S. from Vanderbilt University (1999) and a B.S. from the University of Tennessee (1996).
Leslie M. Ford (Nashville) – Ford represents public and private borrowers, institutional lenders and private equity investors in a wide range of complex financing transactions involving significant extensions of credit, including syndicated credit facilities, acquisition financings, first and second lien credit facilities, asset-based financings and loan workouts and restructurings. Ford received a J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law (2008) and a B.A. from Vanderbilt University (2004).
John L. Fuller (Nashville) – Fuller represents buyers and sellers in public and private company mergers and acquisition transactions, including numerous private equity and venture-backed clients. He also regularly counsels clients involved in joint ventures, recapitalizations and other financing transactions. In addition to transactional work, he also regularly advises corporations and other entities in general corporate governance matters. Fuller earned a J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law (2008) and a B.A. from the University of Mississippi (2004).
Brian R. Iverson (Washington, D.C.) – Iverson concentrates his practice in complex commercial litigation matters, representing clients in a wide range of intellectual property, financial services, government contracts and general business disputes in federal courts, state courts, administrative proceedings and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings. Iverson obtained a J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law (2008) and received a B.B.A. from Belmont University (2005).
Eric J. Knox (Nashville) – Knox counsels public and private companies on transactional, corporate governance, public company disclosure and securities matters. In addition, he represents clients in public and private mergers and acquisitions, as well as corporate financing and capital markets transactions, including equity and debt offerings. Knox earned a J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (2008) and a B.B.A. from the University of Georgia (2004).
Michael R. Kuffner (Nashville) – Kuffner focuses his practice on advising public and private companies on transactional, corporate governance and securities law matters. He also advises issuers and venture capital and private equity firms in connection with corporate finance and capital markets transactions, including registered and unregistered equity and debt offerings. Kuffner earned a J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law (2008) and a B.S. from the University of Alabama (2005).
Frank M. Pellegrino (Nashville) – Pellegrino advises public and private companies on a broad range of transactional, corporate governance, public company disclosure and securities matters. In addition, he represents clients in public and private mergers and acquisitions and equity and debt offerings. Pellegrino earned a J.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Law (2008) and a B.B.A. from Mississippi State University (2005).
Michael A. Stewart (Nashville) – Stewart advises developers and investors on commercial real estate projects throughout Tennessee and across the country. His practice is diverse, covering a wide range of deal sizes and property types with extensive experience in retail and office leasing. Stewart earned a J.D. from Georgia State University College of Law (2008) and a B.A. from Indiana University (2002).
Nesrin G. Tift (Nashville) – Tift represents healthcare organizations in mergers, acquisitions and other strategic transactions. She works with clients to ensure compliance with various healthcare laws, such as the Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute, HIPAA matters, and healthcare fraud and abuse issues. Tift earned a J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School (2008), an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics (2005) and a B.A. from Harvard University (2003).
Bass, Berry & Sims PLC is a professional limited liability company rather than a partnership. Professional limited liability companies have ‘members’ instead of ‘partners.’
About Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
With more than 270 attorneys representing numerous publicly traded companies and Fortune 500 businesses, Bass, Berry & Sims has been involved in some of the largest and most significant litigation matters and business transactions in the country. For more information, visit bassberry2022.wpengine.com.