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Lawyers should be leaders in the community. As a Nashville native, I strive to make the most of my civic contribution by donating my time, knowledge and resources to deserving organizations and by teaching and mentoring the next generation.

Anne Russell’s practice centers on civil litigation, with emphasis on probate, family law,  personal injury matters, prenuptial and antenuptial agreements, mediation and estates. Helping clients resolve matters outside the courtroom as well as inside, Anne received mediation training in a post-graduate study program at Harvard University.

Anne served as an instructor of Wills and Trusts at the Nashville School of Law for 18 years and taught Professional Skills at Belmont University School of Law, where she serves as Trustee on the Board of Trust. She is also a founding Director of Cumberland Trust Company.

In addition, Anne served on the faculty of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy in the Trial Skills and Mediation and Negotiation Programs and presented on prenuptial agreements, probate law, family law and civil litigation to various groups.

Anne is a FELLOW of both the Nashville and Tennessee Bar Foundations and received appointments to the Tennessee Judicial Council by two Governors. Anne is a Master of the Bench in the American Inns of Court, coached an all-female mock trial team, and chaired the ADR Committee for the Nashville Bar and the Legal Education and Bar Committee for the Tennessee Bar. She is co-founder of the Nashville Conflict Resolution Center and an alumna of Leadership Nashville.

She was honored by the Tennessee Supreme Court as an Attorney for Justice for extensive pro bono work. She was recognized as a Woman of Influence by the Nashville Business Journal, Distinguished Alumna by Nashville School of Law, recipient of the Alexis de Toqueville Award for leadership in the community, the Nashville Business 100 Leadership Award, Volunteer of the Year Award and Fundraising Volunteer of the Year.

Anne provides leadership throughout the Nashville community through her service on numerous boards and organizations. She was Board Chair, Campaign Chair and de Tocqueville Chair for the United Way of Nashville. Her board service and advocacy included The Nashville Symphony, Cheekwood, Red Cross, Andrew Jackson Foundation, and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. She founded The Stradivarius Society and Virtuoso Society of the Nashville Symphony.

I am dedicated to improving and connecting the community, through my legal work and my leadership in United Way, Cheekwood and the Nashville Symphony.

Education

  • Nashville School of Law, J.D., 1984
  • University of Tennessee, Ph.D., 1975
  • University of Tennessee, M.S., 1972
  • Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, B.S., 1969

Bar Admissions

  • Tennessee

Court Admissions

  • Tennessee

Areas of Practice

Acknowledgements

  • AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Woman of Influence - Nashville Business Journal
  • Best Lawyers® - Litigation and Controversy – Tax
  • Distinguished Alumna  Nashville School of Law
  • Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award
  • Excellence in Volunteer Leadership Award
  • Nashville Business 100 Leadership Award
  • Board of Trustees Belmont University
  • Faculty Belmont University School of Law and Nashville School of Law
  • "Attorney for Justice," Tennessee Supreme Court Pro Bono Service Award
  • Hall of Fame, Metro Nashville Public Schools
  • President's Award, Nashville Bar Association
  • 25th Annual Tennessee Waltz to Benefit the Tennessee State Museum, Chair

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

  • Tennessee Bar Association
  • Nashville Bar Association
  • Tennessee Judicial Council
  • United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, Board of Trustees
  • Nashville Symphony, Board of Trustees
  • American Inns of Court
  • Cheekwood Estate and Botanical Gardens
  • Cheekwood, Board of Trustees
  • National Symphony Orchestra, National Trustee
  • Cumberland Trust Company, Founding Director
  • Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Board of Trustees
  • Tennessee Lawyers Fund for Client Protection, Former Chair
  • Leadership Nashville, Alumna
  • Antenuptial Agreements in Tennessee, Nashville Bar Journal, June 2008
  • Postnuptial Agreements in Tennessee, Nashville Bar Journal, July 2008
  • A Pragmatic Approach to Drafting an Affirmative Action Plan, San Francisco Journal of Law
  • Career and Conflict: Life Choices for Women, Prentice-Hall (now Simon and Shuster)