Thomas J. Dement II

Bio

“Clients need an attorney who understands their needs both inside and outside the courtroom.”

Mr. Dement is an Equity Member of the firm, and an AV rated attorney through Martindale-Hubbell and has that special combination of skill of being both an advocate and a counselor. Not only has he served as a litigator for approximately 20 years, he has advised many clients over the years in business, transactional, and financial matters. Prior to law school, Mr. Dement received a masters degree in business administration with a concentration in corporate finance. His training has given him unique insight into the problems his client’s face both inside and outside the courtroom.

Mr. Dement joined the firm in 1997 after having served as law clerk to Judge J.S. “Steve” Daniel, then presiding judge for the 16th Judicial District of the State of Tennessee. During this period, he assisted with and observed over 100 jury trials, both civil and criminal. This experience has provided Mr. Dement with the knowledge of how cases are handled from the perspective of both the judge and the attorney.

While working for the firm as an associate and partner, Tom has tried many cases to verdict. These cases include multiple jury trials and bench trials. He has represented clients across the state in a variety of matters and has also represented many of those clients on the appellate level. Tom has also represented clients in administrative matters before many state agencies and departments.

While Mr. Dement maintains a diverse practice, the majority of his work is in litigation and trial practice in the areas of business and commercial litigation, personal injury, workers’ compensation, transportation litigation, dram shop liability, insurance defense, premises liability, professional malpractice defense, intellectual property litigation, and general civil litigation.

Born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Tom earned Bachelor of Science (1990) and Master of Business Administration (1993) degrees from Middle Tennessee State University before obtaining his J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (1996). While at Cumberland, Mr. Dement was Senior Editor of the American Journal of Trial Advocacy, a member of Phi Delta Phi, and a member of the Cumberland Trial Advocacy Board. He also served as a Cordell Hull Teaching Assistant at the law school.

Representative Client Work

Tom’s practice has included a variety of matters such as shareholder disputes, wrongful discharge actions, corporate dissolution, consumer protection claims, personal injury, product liability actions, insurance coverage disputes, workers’ compensation, tort liability, director’s and officer’s liability, errors and omissions coverage, dram shop and liquor liability, breach of contract actions, Uniform Commercial Code litigation, real estate litigation, class action defense, trademark disputes, and real estate litigation.

Mr. Dement has also represented many clients in a transactional capacity, having helped form many corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships. Tom continues to advise clients on business practices such as employment discrimination, intellectual property, non-competition agreements, and real property transactions.

Many of Mr. Dement’s cases have involved mediations and arbitrations. Tom has successfully negotiated resolution of hundreds of cases over the years through the alternative dispute resolution process. He is fully versed in the techniques needed to successfully resolve case through settlement, but is prepared to take any case to court when necessary.

Representative Cases:

Judy Kilburn v. Granite State Insurance Company, et al., 522 S.W.3d 384 (Tenn.); 2017 Tenn. LEXIS 198; 2017 WL 1316266

Jane Doe v. Joseph McGregor Andrews, et al. - Case #3:15-CV-1127 Memorandum