With almost 40 years of complex business litigation experience, Overton Thompson has represented a multitude of clients in bet-the-company matters where hundreds of millions, and sometimes billions, of dollars have been in dispute. Of note, he was lead counsel for Genesco Inc. in the largest case ever tried in Tennessee involving the breach of a $1.5 billion merger agreement. The case was heard in both the Chancery Court of Davidson County (Tennessee) and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. It was reported in both The Wall Street Journal and The American Lawyer magazine. Overton guides his clients through analysis, strategy, negotiations or litigation to obtain favorable results in important matters. He has provided counsel for national clients of all sizes on a range of complex litigation, business, securities and corporate matters.
Overton Thompson III
Member
Nashville
Notice
Visiting, or interacting with, this website does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Although we are always interested in hearing from visitors to our website, we cannot accept representation on a new matter from either existing clients or new clients until we know that we do not have a conflict of interest that would prevent us from doing so. Therefore, please do not send us any information about any new matter that may involve a potential legal representation until we have confirmed that a conflict of interest does not exist and we have expressly agreed in writing to the representation. Until there is such an agreement, we will not be deemed to have given you any advice, any information you send may not be deemed privileged and confidential, and we may be able to represent adverse parties.
Overton Thompson III
Member
Nashville
othompson@bassberry.com
https://www.bassberry.com/professionals/thompson-iii-overton/
Memberships
Nashville Bar Association — Board of Directors, Past Member; Dispute Resolution Section, Past Chairman
Tennessee Bar Association — Litigation Section, Past Chairman
Men of Valor — Member, Board of Directors, President
Monroe Harding Children’s Home — Past Chair
Exchange Club of Nashville — Past Board Member
Antiques & Garden Show of Middle Tennessee — Past Board Member
Travellers Rest Historic House and Museum — Board of Directors, Past President
With almost 40 years of complex business litigation experience, Overton Thompson has represented a multitude of clients in bet-the-company matters where hundreds of millions, and sometimes billions, of dollars have been in dispute. Of note, he was lead counsel for Genesco Inc. in the largest case ever tried in Tennessee involving the breach of a $1.5 billion merger agreement. The case was heard in both the Chancery Court of Davidson County (Tennessee) and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. It was reported in both The Wall Street Journal and The American Lawyer magazine. Overton guides his clients through analysis, strategy, negotiations or litigation to obtain favorable results in important matters. He has provided counsel for national clients of all sizes on a range of complex litigation, business, securities and corporate matters.
Memberships
Nashville Bar Association — Board of Directors, Past Member; Dispute Resolution Section, Past Chairman
Tennessee Bar Association — Litigation Section, Past Chairman
Men of Valor — Member, Board of Directors, President
Monroe Harding Children’s Home — Past Chair
Exchange Club of Nashville — Past Board Member
Antiques & Garden Show of Middle Tennessee — Past Board Member
Travellers Rest Historic House and Museum — Board of Directors, Past President
Representative Experience
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Obtained summary judgment on behalf of Change Healthcare and related entities in federal court litigation in Seattle stemming from Change Healthcare’s acquisition of a start-up business in the healthcare technology industry where the stock purchase agreement had contingent earn-out provisions
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Represented NN, Inc. in its sale of the Precision Bearing Components Group to Tsubaki Nakashima Co. for $388 million
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Represented Pinnacle Financial Partners in a class action brought on behalf of shareholders of Avenue Bank
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Represented eBay Inc. in alleged multimillion dollar claim for breach of contract and business torts
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Counseled J. Alexander’s Corporation in response to the significant stock accumulation and activist campaign led by Privet Fund LP and its associates during 2012
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Lead counsel for O’Charley’s Inc. and its board of directors in the consolidated shareholder litigation filed in Tennessee Chancery Court following the announcement of the $220 million sale of O’Charley’s to Fidelity National Financial, Inc.
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Represented an international integrated energy and chemical company as a third party defendant in a case concerning allegations that a chemical used in a spray tan product was contaminated
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Represented Genesco Inc. in connection with the negotiation of a merger agreement and subsequent litigation for Genesco to be acquired by Finish Line
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Represented edo Interactive and two well-known financial institutions in connection with patent infringement claims
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Represented J. Alexander’s Corporation and its board of directors in putative class action alleging breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the proposed $95 million acquisition of J. Alexander’s by Fidelity National Financial
Representative Experience
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Client Type: Private Company
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Client Type: Public Company
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Client Type: Public Company
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Client Type: Public Company
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Client Type: Public Company
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Client Type: Public Company
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Client Type: Public Company
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Client Type: Public Company
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Client Type: Private Company
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Client Type: Public Company
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Client Type: Public Company
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Client Type: Public Company
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Client Type: Private Company
Publications
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March 13, 2020 | Firm Publication, The Licensing Journal
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October 10, 2017 | The Corporate Counselor
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February 21, 2017 | Firm Publication
Past Events
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November 2, 2016 | Nashville, TennesseeBass, Berry & Sims
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February 12, 2014 | Nashville, TennesseeBass, Berry & Sims
Media Mentions & Firm News
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November 21, 2024 | Firm News
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August 15, 2024 | Best Lawyers®
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August 15, 2024 | Best Lawyers®
Publications
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March 13, 2020 | Firm Publication, The Licensing Journal
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October 10, 2017 | The Corporate Counselor
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February 21, 2017 | Firm Publication
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March 10, 2016 | Firm Publication
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March 17, 2015
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June 25, 2014
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April 30, 2014
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December 10, 2013
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October 3, 2013
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January 31, 2012
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July 1, 2008
Media Mentions & Firm News
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November 21, 2024 | Firm News
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August 15, 2024 | Best Lawyers®
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August 15, 2024 | Best Lawyers®
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June 6, 2024 | Chambers USA
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October 17, 2023 | Benchmark Litigation
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August 17, 2023 | Best Lawyers®
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June 1, 2023 | Chambers USA
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October 10, 2022 | Benchmark Litigation
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August 18, 2022 | The Best Lawyers in America ©
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August 18, 2022 | The Best Lawyers in America ©
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June 1, 2022 | Chambers USA
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October 11, 2021 | Benchmark Litigation
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August 19, 2021 | The Best Lawyers in America©
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May 20, 2021 | Chambers USA
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December 11, 2020 | Mid-South Super Lawyers
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October 9, 2020 | Benchmark Litigation
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August 20, 2020 | The Best Lawyers in America©
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April 24, 2020 | Chambers USA
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November 5, 2019 | Mid-South Super Lawyers
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September 26, 2019 | Benchmark Litigation
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August 15, 2019 | Best Lawyers®
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August 15, 2019 | The Best Lawyers in America©
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April 25, 2019 | Chambers USA
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November 9, 2018 | Mid-South Super Lawyers
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October 17, 2018 | Benchmark Litigation
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August 17, 2018 | The Best Lawyers in America
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May 3, 2018 | Chambers USA
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March 6, 2018 | Nashville Post
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November 7, 2017
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August 16, 2017
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August 15, 2017
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May 26, 2017
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November 18, 2016
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November 8, 2016
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August 15, 2016
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May 27, 2016
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November 9, 2015
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October 27, 2015
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August 24, 2015
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May 21, 2015
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November 5, 2014
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October 21, 2014
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August 18, 2014
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May 27, 2014
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November 18, 2013
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August 15, 2013
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May 28, 2013
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November 11, 2012
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October 8, 2012
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August 29, 2012
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June 11, 2012
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June 7, 2012
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March 22, 2012
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December 9, 2011
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November 22, 2011
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September 7, 2011
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June 28, 2011
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June 10, 2011
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November 9, 2010
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August 24, 2010
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August 23, 2010
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August 4, 2010
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June 11, 2010
Accolades
Chambers USA — Litigation: General Commercial (2008-2024)
The Best Lawyers in America© — Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Litigation: Mergers and Acquisitions; Litigation: Securities (2009-2025)
Best Lawyers® — Nashville Litigation: Mergers and Acquisitions “Lawyer of the Year” (2025, 2023, 2020, 2018, 2013)
Benchmark Litigation — Local Litigation Star: Tennessee (2010-2024)
Mid-South Super Lawyers (2010-2020, 2024)
Nashville Post “In Charge” — Legal Sector (2018)
Top 100 Tennessee Super Lawyers (2014)
Top 50 Nashville Super Lawyers (2014)
Nashville Business Journal “Best of the Bar” (2011-2012)
Accolades
Chambers USA — Litigation: General Commercial (2008-2024)
The Best Lawyers in America© — Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Litigation: Mergers and Acquisitions; Litigation: Securities (2009-2025)
Best Lawyers® — Nashville Litigation: Mergers and Acquisitions “Lawyer of the Year” (2025, 2023, 2020, 2018, 2013)
Benchmark Litigation — Local Litigation Star: Tennessee (2010-2024)
Mid-South Super Lawyers (2010-2020, 2024)
Nashville Post “In Charge” — Legal Sector (2018)
Top 100 Tennessee Super Lawyers (2014)
Top 50 Nashville Super Lawyers (2014)
Nashville Business Journal “Best of the Bar” (2011-2012)
Related Services
Related Industries
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Vanderbilt Law School - J.D., 1984
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Sewanee: The University of the South - B.A., 1981
Education
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Vanderbilt Law School - J.D., 1984
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Sewanee: The University of the South - B.A., 1981
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Tennessee, 1984
Admissions
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Tennessee, 1984
"Overton Thompson has an excellent track record in the commercial litigation space, offering specific strengths in securities disputes and contentious IP matters. He has more than three decades of experience and is well regarded in the market." Client feedback: "Overton is knowledgeable, very respectful and professional. He was well reasoned throughout our time working together, and maintained a terrific sense of humor." "Overton is very seasoned, practical and smart, and can boil problems down effectively."
From Chambers USA 2024