George BarrettNashville Barrett, Johnston & Parsley Was involved in the TennCare dispute, representing those facing disenrollment, and consequently was criticized for charging $500 an hour to recover billing fees. Well-known for work in Millberg Weiss litigation and Oak Ridge radioactivity suit filed in 2001. Co-counsel on $10 million Vanderbilt settlement stemming from experiments on women in the 1940s.

John R. CheadleNashville Cheadle & Cheadle Represents large lenders, such as Bank of America, SunTrust and Union Planters, as well as insurers, including Allstate, Shelter Insurance Co. and Nationwide Insurance. Handled receivables of Governor’s Crossing Mall in Sevierville and properties of defunct Cooker restaurant chain in three states.

Jim BlumsteinNashville Vanderbilt University faculty Nationally known authority on constitutional issues with five successful U.S. Supreme Court cases under his belt, two of which he argued. Lost his recent argument in the U.S. Supreme Court, Brentwood Academy v. TSSAA. (See cover story, pg. 24.) Author of numerous law texts on medical law, government, inflation, health care reform and other matters.

Kim BrownNashville Sherrard & Roe Behind many complex commercial construction deals in Tennessee, Texas, Florida and California. Sought-after speaker on real estate finance and development. Represented Tractor Supply in purchase of roughly 100 units of bankrupt Quality Stores.

Wearen HughesNashville Bass, Berry & Sims Represents public and private lenders, general contractors and suppliers on all manner of construction and products liability claims. Expert in Miller Act claims. Experienced arbitrator and mediator in construction and commercial disputes.

Howard LamarNashville Bass, Berry & Sims Represented HealthSpring in a secondary offering ($218 million) and acquisition of Leon Medical Centers Health Plans. Behind recapitalization of Appriss as lead attorney on leveraged buyout from Bain Capital Ventures and JMI Equity. Helped Luminex Corp. acquire TM BioScience Corp.

Leslie BallinMemphis Ballin, Ballin & Fishman One of the leading criminal law attorneys in the state. Made headlines during his successful representation of Mary Winkler, who was accused of shooting her preacher husband to death.

Chuck BurksKnoxville Justice, Noel & Burks Appointed special master by the Federal Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee in connection with the lawsuit against jail overcrowding in Knox County. Hired by the Police Benevolent Association to represent Knox County canine officer Mick Reyda against an assault charge. Represented Anderson County Sheriff Scott Manning against charges that included misuse of county funds and abuse of power.

Tom DillardKnoxville Richard, Dillard & Davies Adjunct professor of trial practice, UT College of Law. Expert in criminal defense, taking on both state and federal cases. Also handles white-collar defense. Former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Kemper DurandMemphis Thomason, Hendrix, Harvey, Johnson & Mitchell Specializes in criminal defense, civil litigation and immigration. Represented Clark McMillan, who was freed from jail after being convicted for rape and robbery 23 years ago and sentenced to 119 years in prison.

Bill MasseyMemphis Law Office of Massey McClusky A force locally in criminal defense work. Last year represented Dr. Bret Sokoloff against seven counts of sexual battery and two counts of attempted rape.

Jim NealNashville Neal & Harwell The lionized lawyer shows no signs of slowing down. Among high-profile clients are the late Alabama football booster Logan Young, whose 2006 death in Memphis was ruled accidental. Successfully represented Mississippi trial lawyer Paul Minor against accusations of corruption and extortion.

Peter J. StrianseNashville Tune, Entrekin & White A force in federal criminal defense. Former assistant district attorney in Chattanooga and assistant U.S. Attorney in Jacksonville and Nashville, where he was lead prosecutor for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.

Roger DicksonChattanooga Miller & Martin Former U.S. Magistrate for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Handles antitrust and labor law violations, as well as bank and tax fraud matters. Successfully represented Tyson Foods in immigration litigation in Chattanooga Federal Court.

Aubrey HarwellNashville Neal & Harwell Did a stellar job settling the Al Ganier state contracts debacle. Specializes in crisis management, white-collar criminal defense and commercial litigation. Currently represents former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo. Counsel for Bridgestone/ Firestone in tire explosion matters. Represented one of Michael Milken’s principal bond traders in the Drexel Burnham Lambert case.

David RaybinNashville Hollins, Wagster, Yarbrough, Weatherly & Raybin Former assistant attorney general. Expert on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute (RICO). Last year procured a federal tax fraud acquittal for attorneys Saturn and Mazer who had been retained by local pornographer Jerry Pendergrass.

Glen ReidMemphis Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs Runs the firm’s Memphis office. Former Assistant United States Attorney has represented a number of high-profile white-collar defendants in federal and state courts. Currently working on one of the Tennessee Waltz cases.

Jimmy SandersNashville Neal & Harwell Vast client roster includes Ingram Industries, Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, and Qwest Communications. Counsel to Bridgestone/Firestone in tire litigation. Defended director John Landis in Twilight Zone case and Exxon in Valdez spill.

Marvin BallinMemphis Ballin, Ballin & Fishman Often called upon by Memphis civil litigation lawyers when they need help. Groomed son Leslie and grandson Blake for successful criminal defense careers. Represented Mario Jefferson, who was convicted of killing his stepfather with a 29-inch samurai sword.

Steve ObermanKnoxville Daniel & Oberman Authored two DUI treatises covering both Tennessee and national drunk-driving laws; holds DUI seminars across the country. Chair of the DUI Defense Committee for the NACDL since 1995 and a regent of the National College for DUI Defense since 1999. Adjunct professor at the UT College of Law.

Ken KrausNashville Loeb & Loeb With offices in New York and Los Angeles, where the firm is based, boasts clients including Elvis Presley estate, Clint Black, Kid Rock, Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman and Nickel Creek.

Mike MilomNashville Milom, Joyce, Horsnell & Crow One of the top entertainment lawyers in the country bolted from Bass, Berry & Sims last year to hang own shingle on Music Row. Clients include Hank Williams Jr., Brooks & Dunn and Alabama. Founding director, Copyright Society of the South. On ABA’s Copyright Office Committee on intellectual property.

Robert SullivanNashville Loeb & Loeb Handles entertainment transactions (primarily in music), as well as entertainment and intellectual property disputes, representing major recording artists, songwriters and publishers. Administers the Johnny Cash estate.