Chris Whitson’s practice covers the areas of corporate, commercial, sports and entertainment, financings, executive employment, and land use planning. His primary concentration lies in general corporate representation with an emphasis on financings, mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions. He has acted as corporate counsel to numerous small, medium and large companies in commercial spaces ranging from charter schools to investment banking to automotive parts. However, much of his experience has been in the representation of professional sports franchises and investors.
Chris was formerly the head of the Firm’s corporate law practice and served as its recruiting chairman. Prior to joining Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison, he served as vice president and secretary of Whitson Lumber Company, where his responsibilities included both operations and legal counsel.
Chris is a former councilman for the 23rd District of Nashville and Davidson County. He was a member of the Budget & Finance Committee, vice-chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, chairman of the Charter Revision Committee and a member of the Public Safety Committee. He was also formerly a member and Chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals for Nashville and Davidson County.
Chris is a graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School where he served as special projects editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina.
EDUCATION
- Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D.
- Special Projects Editor, Vanderbilt Law Review
- University of North Carolina, B.A.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Tennessee
- Lead counsel to the Nashville Predators from 1998 through December of 2007, assisting them in numerous financings and in the negotiation of every major contract entered into by the Predators during this time. During 2007, he acted as lead counsel in the sale of the Predators to a group of local investors.
- Lead counsel to a group of investors who purchased the Minnesota Wild beginning in the fall of 2007 including assisting in the closings for the financing and acquisition of the franchise in April 2008. He has continued to assist with respect to corporate and transactional matters since the closing of the acquisition.
- Lead counsel to multiple investors in acquiring and selling minority stakes in professional sports franchises
- Lead counsel in the sale of companies specializing in the sale of automobile insurance, physical and electronic patient billing and payment services, residential title insurance services (a large regional multi-state operator), transportation logistics and numerous manufacturing companies
- Represented clients in the acquisition of companies specializing in the sale and maintenance of industrial electrical supplies, security equipment, restaurant management, firearms, a winery, and multiple other industries
- Represented clients in venture capital, senior debt and mezzanine debt financing transactions
- Represented various executives in the negotiation of employment agreements, as well as separations from employment.
- Represented clients on land use issues drawing upon his experience as a Metro Councilman and Member of the Board of Zoning Appeals
- Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Law (2007 – present)
- Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year,” Corporate Law (2022)
- Nashville Business Journal “Best of The Bar” (2016)
- Chambers USA, Corporate/Mergers and Acquisitions (2014 – present)
- Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Director, Truxton Trust
- Fellow, Nashville Bar Foundation
- Former Councilman, 23rd District of Nashville and Davidson County
- Former Hearing Committee Member, Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility
- Former Member, Board of Zoning Appeals for Nashville and Davidson County
- Member, Tennessee and Nashville Bar Associations
CIVIC ACTIVITIES
- Former Board Member and Membership Chairman, Exchange Club of Nashville
- Member, Board of Directors, Harpeth Hall School
- Member, Board of Directors, Montgomery Bell Academy
- Past Board Member and Secretary, Harding Academy
- Past Board Member and Treasurer, St. George’s Kindergarten
- Past Member, Belle Meade Plantation Board of Directors
- Past Member, Make-A-Wish Foundation (Nashville Chapter) Board of Directors
- Past Member, Nashville Zoo Board of Directors
- Stewardship Chairman, Junior Warden, and Senior Warden, St. George’s Episcopal Church
Practice Areas
