West Virginia Record

NASHVILLE -- Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough is entering the Tennessee legal market with the opening of a Nashville office.

Five recognized and experienced Tennessee attorneys with national practices in business, technology, real estate, corporate, and securities work will join the firm to help establish and expand the office.

The Nashville office will be managed by Laurence M. Papel, who concentrates his practice primarily in the areas of corporate transactions and real estate. Also joining the firm is Jason Epstein, a nationally recognized business and technology attorney who acts as outside general counsel to companies in various industries.

David J. White, who concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate, municipal and structured finance, portfolio real estate transactions, and airport and aviation-related finance and development projects, also comes to Nelson Mullins as a partner in its Nashville office.

Other new partners in Nashville are Geoffrey P. Vickers, whose practice concentrates on information technology, IT and business process outsourcing and general business law for startups for emerging market and Fortune 100 companies, and Kelly L. Worman, who represents clients in the financing, acquisitions, and leasing of real estate. Christopher Lalonde is an associate in the Firm's Nashville office, where he counsels clients in commercial and industrial real estate matters and transactions.

Nelson Mullins currently has clients in the Nashville area, particularly in the healthcare arena, who have requested a Nelson Mullins presence locally. The Nelson Mullins Healthcare Practice ranks third in the nation based on membership in the American Healthcare Lawyers Association. The Nashville office is located in Regions Center at 315 Deaderick Street.

"Nashville is a strategic move for Nelson Mullins. As a healthcare hub, a state capital, and a key Southern business crossroads, Nashville is a logical extension of the Firm's East Coast footprint," said Jim Lehman, Nelson Mullins Managing Partner. "We are fortunate to have an outstanding group of lawyers who are well suited and well qualified to establish our Nashville office. The Nashville office will allow the Firm to better serve our clients by offering new resources and an office in one of America's most dynamic cities."

"We're excited about the opportunity of bringing Nelson Mullins into the Nashville/Tennessee market," said Larry Papel, the Nashville office managing partner. "Our attorneys bring valuable experience and market knowledge to the Firm. We look forward to providing outstanding client service and counsel in this new endeavor."

Barry Alexander, a leader in the Firm's healthcare practice, also noted strong corporate and healthcare clients in the thriving and growing city. "Our clients asked us to consider a physical presence in Nashville. Our clients told us that they wanted us in Nashville. Of course, we listen to our clients. We were fortunate to attract some of the top legal talent in Nashville, which allows Nelson Mullins to serve our existing clients and expand our focused legal services throughout Tennessee and nationally," he said.

Nelson Mullins, established in 1897, has more than 430 attorneys and policy advisors practicing in 12 other cities from Boston to Tallahassee. The Firm's attorneys practice in more than 50 areas of law. The new Tennessee attorneys will continue to practice in primarily the corporate arena, with plans to grow in the areas of healthcare, real estate, litigation, and government relations.

In its most current ranking by The American Lawyer, the Firm is ranked as the 128th largest law firm in the nation based on gross revenue.