Womble Establishes Major Litigation Presence in Nashville With Addition of 20 Attorneys

NASHVILLE (August 4, 2025) — Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP is pleased to announce that a group of 20 attorneys, including 15 partners, is joining the firm, significantly strengthening its commercial litigation and complex disputes capabilities, among other key practices. The addition of this team marks a major milestone in the firm’s growth in Nashville and enhances its ability to serve clients in high-stakes matters nationwide. The group joins Womble from Nashville-based Neal & Harwell. 

“We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional attorneys,” said Womble (US) Chair and CEO Merrick Benn. “Their arrival will immediately strengthen our trial bench by bringing decades of litigation experience ranging from appellate advocacy to entertainment disputes and bolster our transactional offerings with well-established real estate and corporate finance practices. They are trusted advocates whose skill and perspective will enhance the service we provide to clients across the firm.”

Of the 20 attorneys, 18 join Womble’s Business Litigation Group and two join its Finance, Bankruptcy & Restructuring practice. The partners include Ben Aaron, Tom Dundon, Phil Elbert, Ron Harris, Callie Hinson, Jim Kelley, Bill Ramsey, Isaac Sanders, Jim Sanders, Nathan Sanders, Mariam Stockton, Jim Thomas, David Thompson, Liz Tipping, and Jeffrey Zager.

“Since opening our Nashville office in 2022, we’ve focused on thoughtful, deliberate growth,” said Nashville Office Managing Partner Josh Mullen. “From individuals to Fortune 500 companies, this group has served a diverse client base while maintaining strong ties to the broader Nashville community. Their collaborative nature and civic leadership will strengthen our office and bolster our ability to serve clients across a range of needs.”

“This is an exciting new chapter for our team,” said Bill Ramsey. “Joining Womble allows us to continue working together while offering our clients expanded capabilities and the support of a national platform. This is the perfect firm and an ideal opportunity for our team to continue the legacy of Jim Neal, who taught many of us how to practice law at the highest level. We’re energized by the opportunities ahead and look forward to delivering exceptional results with greater reach and resources.”

This announcement follows Womble’s recent combination with Lewis Roca, a multi-practice firm with offices across the Southwest and Mountain West. At the time of the merger, the combined firm included more than 1,300 attorneys in 37 offices across the US and UK.

About the new partners:

Ben Aaron represents clients in a variety of litigation matters in state and federal courts. His civil experience includes cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, commercial disputes, and class actions. He also represents clients in criminal matters.

Tom Dundon brings nearly 50 years of experience in civil and criminal litigation across state and federal courts. He has defended clients in cases involving bank fraud, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, mail and wire fraud, the Hobbs Act, environmental crimes, healthcare fraud, bribery, and obstruction of justice. His civil practice includes product liability and aviation defense, environmental mass torts, and complex business litigation.

Phil Elbert has over 40 years of experience representing clients in high-stakes civil trials and appeals. He has served as lead counsel in numerous complex cases, primarily for plaintiffs, including in Maracich v Spears, 570 U.S. 48 (2013), and has argued appeals in both state and federal courts, including landmark matters before the U.S. Courts of Appeals and the Tennessee Supreme Court. Known for his strategic insight and tireless advocacy, Elbert is frequently brought in by other attorneys to advise on or take over challenging cases at critical stages. He is the recipient of the 2019 Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association Outstanding Trial Lawyer of the Year award. He joins the firm on August 6.

Ron Harris concentrates on civil litigation, dedicating a substantial portion of his work to commercial and business disputes. He has over forty years of trial experience, having appeared in numerous federal and state courts. His litigation experience includes libel and defamation cases, product liability matters, bad faith and other insurance coverage cases, business torts, non-competition litigation, contractual disputes, construction disputes, and employment issues. Harris is recognized by Best Lawyers® for First Amendment Law and Corporate Compliance Law. He joins the firm on September 2.

Callie Hinson concentrates her practice in civil litigation, with particular emphasis on high-net-worth divorces and brings valuable experience in all aspects of domestic law, including child custody and support, alimony, prenuptial agreements, and adoptions. She currently serves as the President of the Nashville Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Division and has been named the “Best of the Bar” for her work in family law.

Jim Kelley handles legal matters on behalf of corporate and individual clients nationwide. His practice focuses on bankruptcy and reorganization, creditors’ rights, bankruptcy litigation, and taxation. Kelley is a Fellow for the American College of Bankruptcy and is recognized by Best Lawyers® for his work in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy, and Tax Law.

Bill Ramsey brings over four decades of experience to his practice, focusing on complex civil and criminal litigation. He is also widely recognized for his work in the entertainment industry, representing artists, entertainers, and key players in the music business, including managers, advisors, agents, publishers, and record labels. He has been named a Top Music Lawyer by Billboard. A trusted advocate, Ramsey has achieved exceptional results for his clients, many of whom remain confidential due to the sensitive nature of the matters involved. Previously, he served as the President of the Nashville Bar Association. Ramsey has been named “Best of the Bar” on multiple occasions for his work in litigation and technology and is the 2024 recipient of the prestigious David Rutherford Award by the Nashville Bar Foundation.

Isaac Sanders is a skilled litigator and trial lawyer with over 15 years of experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in complex, high-stakes matters. His practice spans mass action litigation involving product liability and toxic torts, as well as civil and white-collar criminal cases. He advises on corporate contract disputes, internal investigations, and other sophisticated commercial issues. Sanders frequently serves as lead counsel in major cases and has extensive experience handling jury trials, bench trials, mediations, and appeals in federal and state courts.

Jim Sanders is a nationally recognized trial lawyer with over four decades of experience handling complex litigation and investigations across multiple jurisdictions. He represents corporations and individuals in matters involving environmental and antitrust disputes, product liability, and defamation. Sanders has led numerous high-profile trials and often coordinates teams of outside and in-house counsel. In 1997, he was elected a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an honor awarded by invitation to lawyers who demonstrate exceptional skill and professionalism.

Nathan Sanders is an experienced civil litigator and appellate lawyer who has represented clients in state and federal courts around the country in complex business, employment, toxic tort, and False Claims Act cases. He has successfully briefed and argued motions and appeals in dozens of cases and played a leading role in all other aspects of civil litigation. He has been recognized for excellence in commercial and appellate litigation and is currently the Co-Chair of the Nashville Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Section.

Mariam Stockton is a seasoned litigator with significant experience in the entertainment, media, and corporate sectors. She represents clients in complex civil matters, including high-profile disputes and crisis situations. Her practice includes trial work in both federal and state courts, with a focus on entertainment conflicts and commercial litigation. She has been named a Top Music Lawyer by Billboard. Stockton also has deep experience in eDiscovery and often leads strategy in cases involving extensive digital evidence.

Jim Thomas brings more than 40 years of experience in a wide range of civil and criminal litigation, with a particular focus on federal criminal defense. He is also highly experienced in appellate advocacy, having handled numerous appeals in both federal and state courts. Over the course of his distinguished career, Thomas has earned wide recognition for his work, including being named “Best of the Bar” in Criminal Law by the Nashville Business Journal.

David Thompson is a trusted advisor to clients nationwide, often serving as outside general counsel and providing strategic legal guidance on business and personal matters. His practice spans banking and creditors’ rights, commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiation, real estate, and estate planning and probate. Known for his pragmatic, solutions-focused approach, Thompson works proactively to resolve complex legal issues and help clients achieve their goals. He has been recognized as the “Best of the Bar” on multiple occasions for his work in banking and finance.

Liz Tipping has over 20 years of experience representing clients in civil, commercial, and criminal matters, with a primary focus on construction law. She has tried cases in state and federal courts, both jury and non-jury, and has advocated before courts at every level, including the Supreme Court of the United States. Tipping advises construction companies and small businesses on contract negotiation, risk management, dispute resolution, and litigation, bringing deep industry insight and a practical, business-focused approach.

Jeffrey Zager focuses his practice on complex civil litigation and appellate matters. He represents clients in high-stakes disputes across a range of industries, with experience in business and commercial litigation, catastrophic injury, class actions, and constitutional law.