Dr. Larry Bridgesmith, J.D.

• Business Ethics:  Developing Skills for Managing the Conflict
        - Tuesday, Sept. 22
        - Wednesday, Sept. 23
  

While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC.  In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings nearly 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.  As a Waller Lansden attorney, Mr. Bridgesmith integrates the practical, legal and academic "best practices" in dispute resolution strategies in service to the firm's client relationships.  Mr. Bridgesmith has provided counsel in several recent cases that have resulted in jury trial defense verdicts and the successful defense of class actions.

Mr. Bridgesmith is recognized in The America's Best Lawyers (Woodward White, Inc.) and Chambers USA's America's Leading Lawyers for Business for his experience in labor and employment matters.

Mr. Bridgesmith is an approved mediator pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31.  He also is an approved arbitrator for the National Arbitration Forum and a panel neutral for the American Health Lawyers Association.  Prior to joining Waller Lansden, Mr. Bridgesmith was the Managing Member of the Nashville office of Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLC for 14 years.

Education

• B. A., English, with honors, Oakland University, 1972
• Pursued graduate degree requirements in English, Oakland University
• J.D., with highest honors, Wayne State University, 1978
  • Recipient, American Jurisprudence Award, 1978

Professional Activities

• Member, Tennessee, Michigan and American Bar Associations
• Founder, Human Resources Leadership Forum
• Legal counsel, YWCA of Nashville
• Member, American Employment Law Council
• Faculty member, National Institute of Trial Advocacy
• Member, Management Labor and Employment Roundtable, Southern California Mediators Association
• Member, Pepperdine University School of Law Board of Visitors
• Member, Board of Directors of NASBA Center for the Public Trust
• Former legal counsel, American Heart Association, Tennessee Affiliate
• Editorial Review Board, Tennessee Labor Letter, 1996-2000

Civic and Other Activities

• Regular speaker for programs sponsored by Tennessee Labor Letter Conference, National Labor Letter Conference, Tennessee General Counsel Association, Tennessee Safety and Health Congress, Labor and Employment Advanced Program, Society of Human Resource Management, National Airport Authority Conference, National Sheet Metal Association Conference and numerous other employer associations
• Member, Tennessee Business Roundtable
• Member, Tennessee Association of Business
• President, The Zoe Group, Inc.
• Publisher, New Wineskins
• Member, Board of Elders, Woodmont Hills Church of Christ, Nashville