Jay N. Chamness
I have been practicing law in the middle Tennessee area for 30 years. The focus of my practice is civil litigation, dispute avoidance, contract review and drafting, and general legal advice. I have represented a wide array of clients, including both plaintiffs and defendants, in both state and federal court. I have zealously represented clients in the areas of labor and employment law, personal injury, business and commercial litigation and other complex litigation cases. I have represented numerous clients in jury trials throughout middle Tennessee. I’m admitted to practice in Tennessee state courts, as well as the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, and the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
I received my law degree from St. Louis University School of Law, where I graduated cum laude and was elected to Order of the Woolsack for academic excellence. During law school, I served as a staff writer for the St. Louis University Law Journal. I also served as a law clerk for Judge Theodore McMillian of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, who was the first African American appointed to the Eighth Circuit. I obtained my undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a secondary major in Russian.
EDUCATION
St. Louis University School of Law, 1993, Juris Doctorate
Vanderbilt University, 1988, B.A. Russian and Political Science
HONORS AND AWARDS
The Best Lawyers in America, 2016, 2017 (Medical Malpractice - Defense)*
Superlawyers, 2018, 2019, 2020 (Business Litigation)
America’s Top 100 Bet-the-Company Litigators, 2019, 2020
Rated AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell**
Nashville Bar Foundation, Fellow, Class of 2011
Alpha Sigma Nu
Order of the Woolsack
BAR ADMISSIONS
Tennessee Supreme Court
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee
U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
CIVIL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Tennessee History for Kids, former President and Board Member for 10 years
Tennessee State Guard, Major, Inspector General for 5 years
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Member
*www.bestlawyers.com
**AV® , AV Preeminent® , Martindale-Hubbell DistinguishedSM and Martindale-Hubbell NotableSM are Certification Marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards and policies. www.martindale.com/ratings
