Top 9 law firms in Tennessee: A data-backed guide

Ramp processes billions of dollars in business expenses across thousands of companies every month. Our unique position in the payments ecosystem provides visibility into actual spending patterns, including legal services expenditures across diverse industries and business sizes.

In Tennessee's rapidly evolving business landscape, selecting the right legal partner requires more than reputation alone. With the state's legal services sector contributing $4.8265 billion to the state's GDP and 22,956 licensed attorneys competing for business, understanding actual client spending patterns and firm performance metrics helps businesses make informed decisions that align with their strategic objectives and budgetary constraints.

Understanding Tennessee's legal landscape

Tennessee's legal market reflects the state's diverse economic foundation, supported 664,681 small businesses. Major industries driving legal demand include advanced manufacturing with over 2,600 establishments, the automotive sector featuring four major OEMs and 900 suppliers, and healthcare. The state's unique $400 annual professional privilege tax on all attorneys and its ranking as sixth nationally for lawyer population growth between 2005-2015 have created a competitive environment where firms must differentiate through specialization and service excellence.

Top 9 firms in Tennessee

Based on a comprehensive analysis of Tennessee's legal services market, the following firms demonstrate exceptional capabilities across diverse practice areas. Leading the pack are WCG Legal, with its strong international business focus and 50-attorney team; Thompson Burton, recognized for facilitating over $1 billion in venture funding; and Klein PLC, known for advising on transactions exceeding $750 million. Each firm brings unique strengths tailored to Tennessee's dynamic business environment.

WCG Legal

WCG Legal stands as a prominent firm maintaining offices in Nashville and Memphis, with approximately 50 attorneys serving clients from startups to international corporations. The firm has earned recognition in Chambers USA for corporate law and has established precedents in intellectual property rights protection. Their attorneys regularly contribute to legal publications on international trade law and have represented clients in numerous high-profile cross-border transactions, positioning the firm as a key player in Tennessee's growing international business sector.

Key practice areas

• Corporate law
• Intellectual property
• International business transactions

Best for

Companies engaged in cross-border commerce, technology firms requiring IP protection, and businesses seeking sophisticated corporate counsel for international expansion. Their expertise particularly benefits Tennessee's growing number of foreign-owned enterprises and domestic companies expanding globally.

Notable facts

WCG Legal's involvement in landmark intellectual property cases has shaped legal precedents in Tennessee. The firm's Chambers USA recognition for corporate law reflects their consistent delivery of complex transactional work, while their thought leadership in international trade law publications demonstrates deep expertise in navigating global business challenges.

Visa Law

Visa Law operates as Tennessee's immigration law specialist from its Memphis headquarters with satellite offices in Nashville and Knoxville. The firm's 15 attorneys have successfully processed over 10,000 visa applications and earned the AILA Excellence Award for three consecutive years. Serving healthcare institutions, technology companies, and academic organizations, Visa Law has established itself as the state's authority on TN visa matters while contributing to national policy discussions on immigration reform.

Key practice areas

• Employment-based immigration
• Family sponsorship
• Deportation defense

Best for

Healthcare systems recruiting international talent, technology companies sponsoring H-1B workers, universities managing faculty visas, and businesses navigating complex immigration compliance. Their specialized focus makes them ideal for organizations requiring dedicated immigration counsel rather than general corporate services.

Notable facts

Processing over 10,000 visa applications demonstrates Visa Law's operational scale and efficiency. Their three consecutive AILA Excellence Awards highlight peer recognition, while their attorneys' status as recognized authorities on TN visa matters positions them as go-to experts for NAFTA-related immigration issues affecting Tennessee businesses.

Heeg Law Offices

Heeg Law Offices has served Tennessee for over 30 years from its Knoxville base, with 12 attorneys facilitating over $500 million in real estate transactions. The firm has earned the Business Journal's "Best Real Estate Law Firm" award for five consecutive years while developing innovative approaches to land use planning. Their involvement in precedent-setting property rights cases has shaped Tennessee's real estate legal landscape, making them a trusted advisor for developers and property owners throughout East Tennessee.

Key practice areas

• Real estate law
• Estate planning
• Business formation

Best for

Real estate developers navigating complex zoning issues, small to mid-sized businesses requiring formation and governance counsel, and property owners seeking sophisticated estate planning strategies. Their deep local knowledge particularly benefits clients involved in East Tennessee's growing commercial and residential development markets.

Notable facts

Facilitating over $500 million in real estate transactions showcases Heeg Law Offices' market impact. Five consecutive "Best Real Estate Law Firm" awards demonstrate sustained excellence, while their involvement in precedent-setting property rights cases illustrates their influence on Tennessee's evolving real estate legal framework.

Thompson Burton

Thompson Burton operates from Nashville with approximately 40 attorneys, including former federal clerks and SEC advisors, serving technology startups, healthcare organizations, and entertainment industry clients. The firm has facilitated over $1 billion in venture funding for Tennessee startups and received national recognition for technology law excellence. Their pro bono incubator programs contribute significantly to Tennessee's entrepreneurial ecosystem, positioning them as catalysts for innovation and business growth throughout the state.

Key practice areas

• Venture capital financing
• Intellectual property litigation
• Corporate governance

Best for

Technology startups seeking venture funding, healthcare organizations navigating regulatory compliance, entertainment companies requiring specialized counsel, and high-growth businesses needing sophisticated corporate governance. Their expertise particularly serves Nashville's thriving startup ecosystem and healthcare industry.

Notable facts

Facilitating over $1 billion in venture funding demonstrates Thompson Burton's central role in Tennessee's innovation economy. National recognition for technology law confirms their expertise, while employing former federal clerks and SEC advisors provides clients with unparalleled regulatory insight and litigation capabilities.

MasterKey IP

MasterKey IP specializes exclusively in intellectual property law with offices in Nashville and Memphis, founded by former patent examiners. The firm's 8 attorneys have secured over 1,200 patents for Tennessee-based innovations and earned the AIPLA Excellence Award. Representing research institutions, manufacturing companies, and individual inventors, MasterKey IP has developed particular expertise in advanced materials patents while successfully arguing landmark IP cases before the Federal Circuit Court.

Key practice areas

• Patent prosecution
• Trademark registration
• IP litigation

Best for

Research institutions commercializing innovations, manufacturing companies protecting technical advances, individual inventors navigating the patent process, and businesses facing IP litigation. Their specialized focus and technical expertise make them ideal for clients requiring deep patent law knowledge rather than general legal services.

Notable facts

Securing over 1,200 patents demonstrates MasterKey IP's productivity and success rate. The AIPLA Excellence Award recognizes their standing among intellectual property peers, while their founders' backgrounds as former patent examiners provide unique insights into USPTO operations and examination procedures.

Boon Legal

Boon Legal provides boutique litigation services from Chattanooga with 6 attorneys focused on complex commercial disputes and appellate practice. The firm has successfully argued precedent-setting cases before the Tennessee Supreme Court and maintains AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell. Serving financial institutions, healthcare providers, and professional service firms, Boon Legal's founding partner has earned recognition as a "Litigation Star" by Benchmark Litigation for five consecutive years.

Key practice areas

• Complex commercial litigation
• Professional liability defense
• Appellate practice

Best for

Financial institutions facing complex litigation, healthcare providers defending professional liability claims, businesses involved in high-stakes commercial disputes, and parties seeking experienced appellate counsel. Their boutique size allows personalized attention while maintaining sophisticated litigation capabilities.

Notable facts

Successfully arguing precedent-setting cases before Tennessee's Supreme Court demonstrates Boon Legal's appellate prowess. AV Preeminent ratings confirm peer recognition for ethics and ability, while five consecutive "Litigation Star" recognitions highlight sustained excellence in complex dispute resolution.

Klein PLC

Klein PLC has operated as a business law firm since 2005 with offices in Nashville and Franklin, employing 10 attorneys specializing in transactional work. The firm has advised on transactions totaling over $750 million and earned recognition in U.S. News - Best Lawyers for corporate law. Serving private equity firms, manufacturing companies, and family-owned businesses, Klein PLC has developed particular expertise in automotive industry transactions, reflecting Tennessee's significant automotive manufacturing presence.

Key practice areas

• Mergers and acquisitions
• Securities regulation
• Tax planning

Best for

Private equity firms executing portfolio transactions, manufacturing companies pursuing strategic acquisitions, family-owned businesses planning succession, and automotive suppliers navigating complex cross-border deals. Their transactional focus and industry expertise serve sophisticated business clients requiring specialized M&A counsel.

Notable facts

Advising on over $750 million in transactions showcases Klein PLC's deal-making capabilities. Recognition in U.S. News - Best Lawyers validates their corporate law excellence, while specialized automotive industry expertise positions them uniquely to serve Tennessee's substantial automotive manufacturing sector.

Nath Law

Nath Law maintains a specialized healthcare law practice from Memphis with 7 attorneys serving hospitals, physician groups, and healthcare technology companies. The firm has represented clients in high-stakes False Claims Act litigation and earned the "Top Healthcare Law Firm" award from the Memphis Business Journal. With attorneys including former healthcare executives who contribute to policy development through state advisory boards, Nath Law brings operational insight to complex regulatory challenges.

Key practice areas

• Regulatory compliance
• Fraud and abuse defense
• Healthcare transactions

Best for

Hospitals navigating regulatory investigations, physician groups structuring compliant arrangements, healthcare technology companies addressing privacy concerns, and providers facing False Claims Act allegations. Their specialized focus and operational experience make them invaluable for complex healthcare legal challenges.

Notable facts

Successfully defending high-stakes False Claims Act litigation demonstrates Nath Law's capabilities in complex healthcare disputes. The Memphis Business Journal's "Top Healthcare Law Firm" award confirms local market leadership, while employing former healthcare executives provides clients with rare operational perspective on legal issues.

Lester Law

Lester Law focuses on civil rights and employment law from Nashville, founded in 2010 with 5 attorneys representing individuals in discrimination cases and constitutional claims. The firm has secured multi-million dollar settlements in class actions against major corporations and received the Tennessee Bar Association's Pro Bono Service Award for three consecutive years. Their founder's recognition as a "Top 100 Trial Lawyer" by the National Trial Lawyers Association underscores the firm's litigation excellence.

Key practice areas

• Discrimination cases
• Wage disputes
• Constitutional claims

Best for

Employees facing workplace discrimination, groups pursuing class action wage claims, individuals challenging constitutional violations, and organizations seeking guidance on employment law compliance. Their plaintiff-side focus and civil rights expertise serve those seeking aggressive advocacy for workplace justice.

Notable facts

Securing multi-million dollar class action settlements demonstrates Lester Law's ability to take on major corporations successfully. Three consecutive Pro Bono Service Awards highlight their commitment to access to justice, while advancing workplace protection legislation shows their broader impact on Tennessee employment law.

What to consider when choosing a firm in Tennessee

Selecting legal counsel in Tennessee requires evaluating factors beyond traditional metrics. Consider the firm's industry-specific experience, particularly in Tennessee's key sectors like advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and automotive. Geographic coverage matters significantly given the state's distinct regional economies—Nashville's entertainment and healthcare focus differs markedly from Memphis's logistics emphasis or East Tennessee's manufacturing concentration.

Evaluate firms based on their track record with businesses of your size and stage. A startup seeking venture funding requires different expertise than an established manufacturer pursuing acquisitions. Request specific examples of similar client representations and outcomes. Consider whether you need a full-service firm or specialized boutique counsel—Tennessee's competitive legal market offers both models effectively.

Next steps should include scheduling consultations with 3-4 firms that match your criteria. Prepare specific questions about their experience in your industry, fee structures, and staffing approaches for your matters. Request references from similar clients and verify any claimed recognitions or awards. Consider conducting a small initial project to evaluate responsiveness and work quality before committing to a long-term relationship. Tennessee's legal market offers sophisticated options across all practice areas—taking time to find the right fit will pay dividends in successful outcomes and controlled costs.