From 1995 through 2012, Keith Simmons served as Bass, Berry & Sims’ managing partner. During his tenure, Bass, Berry & Sims opened an office in Memphis, a strategic move that increased the firm’s presence in Tennessee and increased its practice capabilities. In 2012, Keith also oversaw the addition of the Washington, D.C. office, the first Bass, Berry & Sims office outside the state of Tennessee, which allowed clients increased access to the regulatory bodies that govern their businesses. Under his leadership, the firm grew from 90 attorneys to 221 attorneys.

Prior to accepting the role of managing partner, Keith had a successful law practice focused on public finance. He was instrumental in notable financing transactions across the state of Tennessee in some of the smallest communities in the state to the largest, including the financing of Nissan Stadium (formerly LP Field), the home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and the financing of Bridgestone Arena, a multi-purpose arena located in downtown Nashville, and home to the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League.

Keith is a native Kentuckian. He spent two years in the United States Air Force as a missile launch officer. He is active in community affairs, both locally and nationally. For the last six years Keith has served on the board of directors of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms, and from 2012 to 2013 served as chair of the board of Lex Mundi and helped lead the organization through a strategic planning process and a rebranding initiative. Currently, Keith serves as chair of the board of trustees of the Nashville Public Library and vice-chair of Cumberland Region Tomorrow. Keith also has served as chair of the board of directors of the Nashville Public Library Foundation; the board of directors of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation; and the board of directors of the Urban Libraries Council, an association of public libraries serving urban communities across the United States and Canada.

Memberships

Nashville Bar Association

Tennessee Bar Association

Tennessee Bar Foundation — Fellow

Accolades

Best Lawyers in America® — Public Finance Law (2003-2018)

Nashville Business Journal — Power 100 (2015)

Lawdragon 3000 Leading Lawyers in America

Mid-South Super Lawyers (2006-2007, 2009)

Nashville Post “In Charge” (2012)

Center for Nonprofit Management — Board Member of the Year Award finalist (2012)

Lex Mundi, Ltd. — Chair of the Board of Directors

Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation — Board Chair

Urban Libraries Council — Board Chair

Nashville Public Library Foundation — Board of Directors and former President

Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County — Public Library Board

Cumberland Region Tomorrow — Board of Directors

Rotary Club of Nashville — Board of Directors

Smithsonian Institution Libraries — Advisory Board

Vanderbilt Law Review — Editorial Board (1975-1976)