Shelley R. Thomas

Member

Nashville | Chicago

(615) 742-7900

VCARD
Shelley R. Thomas

Shelley R. Thomas

Member

Nashville

| Chicago

(615) 742-7900

srthomas@bassberry.com

https://www.bassberry.com/professionals/thomas-shelley-r/

Clients rely on Shelley Thomas for the development, commercialization, transfer and protection of intellectual property assets. She has significant experience representing private equity firms, strategic investors and their portfolio companies in the IP and technology aspects of mergers and acquisitions and other strategic transactions. Shelley also represents public and private companies in structuring and negotiating a variety of technology and commercial agreements, including licensing, SaaS, cloud hosting, distribution, reseller, outsourcing, online and offline marketing, and content syndication agreements. Drawing from her experience advising clients in a variety of industries including healthcare, automotive, media, financial services, retail, consumer products and e-commerce, Shelley helps structure transactions that protect her clients’ most valuable assets and promote their business objectives.

Shelley’s practice involves:

  • Health Information Technology (HIT) Contracts – Relying on her significant experience in HIT and the healthcare industry, Shelley negotiates a variety of technology contracts for providers as well as HIT vendors and routinely counsels clients on issues related to management of data, and the associated privacy, security, liability, and contractual concerns of HIT contracts. Recently, she has led several major health systems and academic institutions through the licensing and implementation of interoperable HIT and electronic health records (EHR) systems.
  • Mergers & Acquisitions – Shelley performs technology and intellectual property due diligence in mergers and acquisitions and evaluates intellectual property in support of intellectual capital management. In the last two years, she has advised clients in more than 100 transactions, including Luminex Corporation’s (Nasdaq: LMNX) acquisition of Gentura DX, Inc., which won the M&A Advisor’s “M&A Deal of the Year” award.
  • Privacy & Data Security – Shelley advises clients on data privacy and security efforts, including the development of information technology policies, trade secret policies, breach preparation and cybersecurity risk management and compliance with U.S. and international data privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), CAN-SPAM Act, GLBA, COPPA, and PCI-DSS.
  • Technology Agreements – Shelley drafts and negotiates vendor and client-side agreements and contracts including licensing, hosting, distribution, reseller and outsourcing agreements for clients in a variety of industries. She also structures, drafts and negotiates agreements to effect volumes of technology transfers, strategic alliances, collaborations and joint ventures.
  • Media & Content Syndication – Shelley counsels clients in myriad industries on online and offline marketing initiatives including social media, advertising claims and other aspects of brand promotion. She also represents clients in content syndication deals with global brands like Hulu, Roku, Amazon, MSN and Yahoo!
Featured Experience
Memberships

American Health Law Association (AHLA)­­ — Health Information and Technology Practice Group, Vice Chair (2018-2020)

Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society — Tennessee Chapter, Board of Directors

Memberships

American Health Law Association (AHLA)­­ — Health Information and Technology Practice Group, Vice Chair (2018-2020)

Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society — Tennessee Chapter, Board of Directors

Representative Experience
Representative Experience
Publications
  • Health Care Investors Conference: 2025 Recap
    November 12, 2025 | Firm Publication
  • Key Takeaways from the 9th Annual Pharmacy, Pharma Services & 340B Conference
    October 27, 2025 | Firm Publication
  • CPRA Draft Regulations – Round One
    June 7, 2022 | Firm Publication
Past Events
Media Mentions & Firm News
Publications
  • Health Care Investors Conference: 2025 Recap
    November 12, 2025 | Firm Publication
  • Key Takeaways from the 9th Annual Pharmacy, Pharma Services & 340B Conference
    October 27, 2025 | Firm Publication
  • CPRA Draft Regulations – Round One
    June 7, 2022 | Firm Publication
  • Key Takeaways from the Kayo Women’s Investment Forum
    December 23, 2020 | Firm Publication
  • CCPA Update – California Attorney General Issues Proposed CCPA Regulations
    October 17, 2019 | Firm Publication
  • Guide to CCPA Compliance – Update on Final Amendments
    September 20, 2019 | Firm Publication
  • California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018
    August 16, 2018 | Firm Publication
  • Shelley Thomas Explores Importance of Intellectual Property in Private Equity Investments
    August 10, 2018 | IPWatchdog
  • GDPR Top 5 Actions You Should Take NOW
    May 23, 2018 | Firm Publication
  • Steele Clayton and Shelley Thomas Author Article on Key Considerations for Vendor Contracts
    April 7, 2015 | Firm Publication
Media Mentions & Firm News
Accolades

Chambers USA — Intellectual Property, Up and Coming (2024-2026)

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) — Fellow (2023)

The Best Lawyers in America© — Copyright Law (2016-2026)

Best Lawyers® — Nashville Copyright Law “Lawyer of the Year” (2023)

Mid-South Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (2014-2018)

Accolades

Chambers USA — Intellectual Property, Up and Coming (2024-2026)

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) — Fellow (2023)

The Best Lawyers in America© — Copyright Law (2016-2026)

Best Lawyers® — Nashville Copyright Law “Lawyer of the Year” (2023)

Mid-South Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (2014-2018)

Shelley Thomas Chambers 2026

"Shelley Thomas is experienced in navigating the intersection of technology and intellectual property, and has advised clients in numerous industries including the media, automotive, manufacturing and healthcare sectors." Client feedback: "She provides insightful advice on risk exposure and mitigation strategies both from a business approach and from a legal negotiation approach."

From Chambers USA 2026