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Practice Areas
The firm has its roots in litigation, both civil and criminal, and most of the firm’s lawyers continue to view themselves primarily as trial lawyers. Neal & Harwell civil litigation matters encompass a wide range of subject matter, including complex business disputes, medical business and reimbursement, insurance coverage litigation, products liability, class action, aviation, environmental, defamation/First Amendment, domestic relations, and entertainment. White collar crime is the focus of the firm’s criminal defense practice. The firm has defended individuals and major corporations in many significant criminal matters including allegations of Medicare/Medicaid fraud and violation of anti-kickback regulations, labor and environmental crimes, mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, criminal tax fraud, securities violations, bribery, antitrust, RICO, and violation of campaign laws.
Lawyers in the firm’s business group represent banks and businesses in complex commercial transactions. The group also conducts a significant bankruptcy, loan workout and commercial practice.
Firm History
Jim Neal and Aubrey Harwell formed Neal & Harwell in 1971. Mr. Neal’s experience as Special Assistant to United States Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, during which he successfully prosecuted Teamster leader James Hoffa for jury tampering, and his tenure as United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee lent itself to the firm’s emphasis on criminal and civil litigation. Over time the firm’s white collar criminal practice has remained and grown to include additional experienced criminal defense lawyers such as Jim Sanders, Tom Dundon, Bill Ramsey, Jim Thomas and Al Moore. Like many litigation firms in the early 1970’s, insurance defense work initially formed a significant part of Neal & Harwell’s early civil practice. As the firm has matured, its civil litigation work has evolved from these bread-and-butter beginnings into its current menu of far more complex, high-stakes matters.
In 1990, the firm substantially expanded its developing transactional and commercial practice by adding two experienced business lawyers, James Kelley and Marc McNamee. These lawyers now form the core of the firm’s business, banking and bankruptcy practice, and they have added additional lawyers to their section.
Since its inception, the firm has followed a conservative policy of careful controlled growth, primarily by recruiting top law school graduates and federal judicial clerks. The firm’s growth policy stems from a commitment to ensure consistently high quality, shared values, and long-term employment for its personnel. The result is a highly-cohesive group of individuals who exhibit a level of trust and teamwork that only comes from working together over a substantial period of time.
Professional and Community Commitment and Recognition
Community, civic and charitable involvement ranks high on the list of significant firm values. Over the years, Neal & Harwell lawyers have taken an active role in local, state and national organizations, and have been recognized for their commitments. Organizations served and honors received include:
- Meharry Medical College, Board of Trustees;
- Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Chairman of the Board;
- Boy Scouts of America, National Board Member, President of Middle Tennessee Council;
- Nashville Bar Association, President, Board of Directors and numerous Committee Chairs;
- Nashville Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Board of Directors;
- High Hopes, Inc., Board of Directors;
- Vanderbilt University Children’s Hospital, Chairman of the Board;
- Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Board Member;
- Harry Phillips American Inn of Court, Executive Committee;
- Mid-South Commercial Law Institute, President, Director;
- Park Manor, Vice Chairman Board of Directors;
- Vanderbilt University Law School, Adjunct Faculty, Board of Trustees;
- Tennessee Dance Theater, Board of Directors;
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, President of the Board;
- Music City Triathlon, Race Director;
- Music City Bowl, Board of Directors;
- Second Harvest Food Bank, Board of Directors;
- Nashville Bar Association, Public Service Award;
- Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award;
- Boy Scouts of America, Distinguished Eagle Scout Award;
- Mayor’s Community to Select Chief of Police, Chair;
- Nashville School of Law, Board of Trustees and Vice Chair;
- Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee, Campaign Chair;
- Franklin Road Academy, Board of Trustees Chair;
- Tennessee Chapter Arthritis Foundation, Tribute Honoree;
- Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference, Life Membership;
- American Bar Association, Fellows;
- Tennessee Bar Association, Fellows;
- Nashville Bar Association, Fellows;
- American Bankruptcy Institute, Chairman of Taxation Subcommittee; and
- Nashville Cares, President of Board of Directors.
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