Firm Boosts Leadership Team with Promotion of Devin Lintzenich as Chief Attorney Talent Officer and Addition of Lee Ashby Watts as Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Nashville, Tenn., (November 2, 2023) – Bass, Berry & Sims is pleased to announce the appointment of new leaders in two key positions. Devin Lintzenich has been promoted to serve as the firm’s first chief attorney talent officer, and Lee Ashby Watts has joined the firm to serve as director of diversity, equity & inclusion.
“Ensuring our firm is a place where people can thrive personally and professionally is a strategic priority at Bass, Berry & Sims. We are grateful and excited to have such passionate leaders in Devin and Lee collaborating to play a key role in advancing this goal,” said Todd Rolapp, managing partner of Bass, Berry & Sims. “Devin has been central to building a strong professional development program for our attorneys through the years, and Lee brings vital experience and ideas to continuing our progress and updating our approach related to DEI. We are extremely fortunate to have each of their service in these important roles.”
Devin Lintzenich, Chief Attorney Talent Officer
As chief attorney talent officer, Devin Lintzenich oversees strategy and initiatives related to the attorney experience at the firm. Aligning people-centered principles and client-service standards, she works to advance attorney talent strategy across the firm and within practice groups, as well as coach individuals to reach their potential and to shape a career that works for them.
Lintzenich previously served as the firm’s director of professional development and retention, as well as in marketing and business development capacities. Before joining Bass, Berry & Sims, she held roles in public relations and education, and she brings this unique experience to her new role. She is a Certified Lawyer Coach, as issued by Volta Talent Strategies, and she earned the Senior Certified Professional Credential (SHRM-SCP), issued by the Society for Human Resource Management.
Lintzenich is active in the professional community and in Nashville. She regularly contributes thought leadership and recently served as a board member of the Professional Development Consortium. Given her past career as an educator, Lintzenich passionately supports teachers and education and stays active in the field. She is a board member of PENCIL, the premier organization linking community resources to Metro Nashville Public Schools. Lintzenich is also an alumna of Leadership Public Education’s inaugural class (2020) and the Nashville Emerging Leaders class of 2021.
Lintzenich earned a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University (2007).
Lee Ashby Watts, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
As director of diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) at Bass, Berry & Sims, Lee Ashby Watts works to advance DEI and to support the recruitment, retention and advancement of underrepresented lawyers and professionals. She has over 20 years of experience in the legal industry, helping law firms, attorneys and legal professionals develop and implement strategic plans.
Watts brings a keen understanding of communications and client service, having worked in legal marketing and business development for most of her career. Prior to joining Bass, Berry & Sims, she led a consulting firm where she coached, trained and consulted with hundreds of leaders. Previously, she served in a variety of roles within law firms, including as the chief marketing officer at global law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP for nearly a decade.
Watts is a certified coach in business development, as well as a frequent facilitator and speaker where she addresses personal branding, public speaking, marketing, diversity and inclusion. She sits on the board of the Legal Marketing Association Southeast (LMASE) and the nonprofit organization Kate’s Club. Watts is also a member of the professional women’s network CHIEF, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Junior League of Atlanta and ColorComm. She is also active with the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) and The Academy of Creative Coaches. Watts is a blogger and contributor for Forbes Communications Council and a regular speaker for the Argyle Network, TechBridge Inc., among other platforms and organizations.
Watts earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University (1992) and a Master of Business Administration degree from Georgia State University (2014).
About Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
Bass, Berry & Sims is a national law firm with nearly 350 attorneys dedicated to delivering exceptional service to numerous publicly traded companies and Fortune 500 businesses in significant litigation and investigations, complex business transactions, and international regulatory matters. For more than 100 years, our people have served as true partners to clients, working seamlessly across substantive practice disciplines, industries and geographies to deliver highly-effective legal advice and innovative, business-focused solutions. For more information, visit www.bassberry.com.
Media Coverage
The announcement was covered in several media outlets, including:
- “Bass Berry Names New Diversity, Atty Talent Leaders,” Law360 (November 7, 2023)
- “Legal Notes: Bass, Berry & Sims Makes Several Appointments, Launches AI Group,” Nashville Post (November 9, 2023)