Results

The record speaks.

Reported decisions, client outcomes, and peer recognition across commercial litigation, intellectual property, construction, and entertainment.

100+
Years combined experience
5
Offices
0
States licensed
0
Federal circuits

Reported decisions

Published opinions in state and federal courts where the firm appeared as counsel.

Tenn. 2026

Haddon v. Vanlier, et al.

Tennessee Supreme Court reversed Court of Appeals; held prejudgment interest unavailable in UM personal injury actions. Represented Auto-Owners Insurance Company.

Read the analysis

M.D. Tenn. 2024

UltraClear Epoxy, LLC v. Epodex USA Corp.

Obtained preliminary injunction in trademark infringement matter.

6th Cir. 2023

Parker v. Hinton

Summary judgment affirmed on appeal in copyright infringement case.

Tenn. 2019

Funk v. Scripps Media, Inc.

Landmark ruling on fair report privilege in Tennessee.

6th Cir. 2012

Roger Miller Music, Inc. v. Sony/ATV Publ'g, LLC

Significant copyright termination/recapture case in the Sixth Circuit.

Client outcomes

Representative matters, anonymized to protect client confidentiality.

Construction Law · Manufacturing

65% Reduction in Exposure

Achieved 65% reduction in exposure through summary judgment motions; final settlement 40% below initial demand.

How we got there

ChallengeMulti-party construction defect claim affecting $50M commercial development project with complex subcontractor relationships.

ApproachCoordinated discovery across all parties, deployed structural engineers to challenge defect claims, negotiated phased settlement approach.

Construction Law →

Intellectual Property · Technology

$2.3M Licensing Agreement Secured

Secured full ownership recognition and $2.3M licensing agreement with competitor; protected future IP portfolio.

How we got there

ChallengeCopyright infringement dispute over software code involving competing claims to ownership and licensing rights across multiple jurisdictions.

ApproachConducted thorough chain-of-title analysis, secured preliminary injunction against unauthorized use, leveraged expert testimony on code development history.

Intellectual Property →

Commercial Litigation · Consumer Goods

75% Discount on Case Valuations

Won 3 consecutive bellwether trials; remaining 180+ cases resolved at 75% discount to initial valuations.

How we got there

ChallengeProduct liability MDL defense with 200+ claimants across 6 states alleging injury from consumer product.

ApproachEarly causation expert work to identify flawed plaintiff theories, strategic bellwether case selection and defense, coordinated discovery protocol.

Commercial Litigation →

Entertainment & Media · Entertainment

Production Resumed On Schedule

Cleared all title defects in 8 weeks; production resumed on schedule; film successfully distributed across major platforms.

How we got there

ChallengeFilm production halted due to unresolved chain-of-title issues on underlying literary work with multiple prior rights holders.

ApproachTraced rights chain, located all historical rights holders, negotiated assignments, resolved competing claims through structured agreements.

Entertainment & Media →

Trademark & Copyright · Consumer Brand

Preliminary Injunction in 30 Days

Obtained preliminary injunction within 30 days; competitor rebranded; client awarded attorneys' fees and licensing royalties.

How we got there

ChallengeCompetitor launched confusingly similar product line using nearly identical trade dress and brand name in overlapping markets.

ApproachFiled for emergency TRO, conducted market survey to establish consumer confusion, assembled brand history documentation and expert witnesses.

Trademark & Copyright →

Commercial Litigation · Financial Services

Full Equity Stake + $1.8M Damages

Client received full equity stake plus $1.8M in damages; partner permanently enjoined from competing business activities.

How we got there

ChallengePartnership dissolution dispute involving $12M in contested equity value, competing fiduciary duty claims, and alleged misappropriation of firm assets.

ApproachFiled for emergency receivership, forensic accounting engaged to trace asset flow, leveraged discovery to establish breach of fiduciary duty.

Commercial Litigation →

Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each matter depends on its own facts and circumstances.

Recognition

Peer-reviewed rankings and awards. Detail on each attorney's profile.

2024 · 2025 · 2026

Best Lawyers in America

Matthew J. Evans has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2016, and Michael A. Johnson has been listed for Commercial Litigation and Copyright Law since 2024.

Best Lawyers 2022 · 2024

Lawyer of the Year

Matthew J. Evans was named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers for Litigation – Insurance in Nashville in both 2022 and 2024.

2013 – 2026

Mid-South Super Lawyers

Our attorneys have been recognized by Mid-South Super Lawyers every year for more than a decade. Michael A. Johnson was named a Rising Star from 2013 to 2023 and to Mid-South Super Lawyers in 2026; Lorne G. Hiller was named a Rising Star in 2019 and 2023–2026, and Bryan P. Davidson in 2026.

Int'l Trademark Assoc.

Ladas Memorial Award

Michael A. Johnson's scholarship on trademark law received the prestigious Ladas Memorial Award from the International Trademark Association.

Vanderbilt Law School

Vanderbilt Law Review Editors Award

Michael A. Johnson served on the editorial board of the Vanderbilt Law Review and received the Editors Award, recognizing his contributions to the journal.

2025

NBA CLE Excellence Award

Awarded to Michael A. Johnson for the presentation "Ethical and Practical Pitfalls of AI," reflecting the firm's leadership in navigating legal implications of artificial intelligence.

U.S. News · 2024

Best Law Firms

Consistently recognized in the U.S. News – Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" rankings, affirming the firm's reputation for excellence across practice areas.

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