Experienced DOJ Leader Enhances Firm’s Investigations and Compliance Capabilities
Nashville, Tenn., February 10, 2026 – Bass, Berry & Sims is pleased to announce that Ben Schrader, a former U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutor with experience in both Middle Tennessee and the District of Columbia, has joined the firm as a member in its Nashville office. Schrader most recently served as Chief of the Criminal Division at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee, where he oversaw criminal prosecutions involving financial and healthcare fraud, public corruption, racketeering and other criminal conspiracies, money laundering, and asset forfeiture.
The Latest Former Government Attorney to Join Firm’s Roster
Schrader joins a deep bench of Bass, Berry & Sims attorneys with senior government experience, including former leaders from the DOJ, the Federal Trade Commission, other federal regulatory and enforcement agencies, and state attorney general offices. This collective experience enables the firm to guide clients through complex investigations, enforcement actions, and compliance challenges with a practical, government-informed perspective.
“Ben is an accomplished and respected attorney who has supervised and led numerous teams working on important and sensitive investigation and litigation matters,” said Lisa Rivera, chair of the firm’s Compliance & Government Investigations Practice. “His experience in working with a wide variety of government agencies will be invaluable as we help clients navigate the complexities of compliance and investigations. Adding Ben to our roster of experienced and client-centered attorneys further reflects our commitment to strategic growth driven by the highest quality of people and professionals.”
Experience with the Department of Justice
Over his nearly 15-year career with the DOJ, including more than four years as an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, Schrader served as lead government counsel in dozens of federal jury trials and in approximately 40 bench trials. He also served for several years as the chief national security prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Nashville, where he investigated and prosecuted terrorism and “major incident” cases, including the 2020 Christmas Day bombing in downtown Nashville.
During his time as a prosecutor with the Justice Department, Schrader received the Assistant Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service and the Director’s Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney.
Over his career, Schrader has worked closely with federal and state agencies, including the:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Homeland Security Investigations
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
His breadth of government experience provides private-sector clients with valuable insight into risk mitigation, informed by a deep understanding of how complex investigations are assembled and tried.
Additional Experience and Educational Background
Schrader is also an Adjunct Professor in the Master of Legal Studies program at Vanderbilt Law School, where he teaches Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, and Introduction to U.S. Law, and in the Juris Doctor program at Belmont University College of Law, where he teaches Trial Advocacy.
Schrader earned his law degree from Vanderbilt Law School (2009), where he was a member of the Law Review, and his undergraduate degree from Yale University (2003).
Ben Schrader is licensed to practice in New York and the District of Columbia. He is licensed to practice pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 7 Sec. 10.07.
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.