- Overview
- Recognitions
- Representation
Overview
Aubrey B. Harwell Jr., who serves as the Adams & Reese White-Collar Criminal Defense Team Leader, has more than 50 years of experience as lead counsel in high-stakes, white-collar criminal defense and high-profile, crisis management cases that have garnered national media attention. Aubrey’s clients include top private corporate clients, and prominent public officials, including judges, governors, congressmen, state senators, mayors, and state attorneys general.
Aubrey represented former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo, in numerous matters, including a completed federal criminal case involving former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards, in regard to a Presidential Pardon. On the corporate side, Aubrey has represented the likes of Pfizer, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Company, Bridgestone Americas, Rheem Manufacturing Company, CNA Insurance Company, and Pilot Flying J – the sixth largest private company in the country – regarding a myriad of issues arising out of the execution of a search warrant on the corporate offices in Knoxville, by approximately 100 Federal agents in 2013.
Before joining Adams & Reese, Aubrey co-founded Neal & Harwell, leading a firm that has become a staple in the Nashville community for more than 50 years.
Aubrey represented former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo, in numerous matters, including a completed federal criminal case involving former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards, in regard to a Presidential Pardon. On the corporate side, Aubrey has represented the likes of Pfizer, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Company, Bridgestone Americas, Rheem Manufacturing Company, CNA Insurance Company, and Pilot Flying J – the sixth largest private company in the country – regarding a myriad of issues arising out of the execution of a search warrant on the corporate offices in Knoxville, by approximately 100 Federal agents in 2013.
Before joining Adams & Reese, Aubrey co-founded Neal & Harwell, leading a firm that has become a staple in the Nashville community for more than 50 years.
In his white-collar criminal defense practice, Aubrey works with clients to mitigate risk and resolve issues before charges are filed. He works with the A&R team to conduct internal investigations, navigate complex regulatory inquiries and enforcement actions, advise on compliance risks or defending against criminal allegations, all ensuring a strategic and thorough approach to avoid litigation. When litigation is unavoidable, Aubrey provides skilled defense at every stage, from investigations and grand jury proceedings to trial and appeal.
Throughout his storied career, Aubrey has received many accolades and recognitions, including
“Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the Southeastern Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates; the “General Counsel Award” from Bridgestone; the first-ever “Best of the Bar Lifetime Achievement” award by the Nashville Business Journal; and recognition by clients and peers in Best Lawyers and Mid-South Super Lawyers. Aubrey is a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society. Aubrey has been published in legal publications and is a frequent speaker at seminars and symposiums throughout the United States.
Throughout his storied career, Aubrey has received many accolades and recognitions, including
“Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the Southeastern Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates; the “General Counsel Award” from Bridgestone; the first-ever “Best of the Bar Lifetime Achievement” award by the Nashville Business Journal; and recognition by clients and peers in Best Lawyers and Mid-South Super Lawyers. Aubrey is a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society. Aubrey has been published in legal publications and is a frequent speaker at seminars and symposiums throughout the United States.
Community Involvement
- Meharry Medical College – Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees
- Nashville School of Law – Chairman, Board of Trustees
- Boy Scouts of America National Council – Treasurer, Executive Board Member
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center – Board of Trustees
- The Frist Center for the Visual Arts – Past Board of Trustees
- Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee – Past Chairman, Board of Trustees
- Vanderbilt University Children’s Hospital – Past Chairman, Board of Trustees
- Middle Tennessee Council Boy Scouts of America – Past President & Past Chairman, Executive Board
- Easter Seals Society of Tennessee – Past Chairman, Board of Trustees
- Tennessee Performing Arts Center – Past Chairman, Board of Trustees
- Music City Bowl – Past Chairman, Board of Directors
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Education
- Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D. | 1967
- Vanderbilt University, B.A. | 1964
Bar Admissions
- Tennessee
Court Admissions
- United States Supreme Court
- Tennessee Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the District of Columbia
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
- United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
Related Services
Recognitions
- “Trial Lawyer of the Year” – American Board of Trial Advocates, Southeastern Chapter
- “General Counsel Award” – Bridgestone
- “Best of the Bar Lifetime Achievement” – Nashville Business Journal
- Senior Fellow – Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
- Best Lawyers in America® – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Mid-South Super Lawyers® (Thomson Reuters) – Business Litigation
Education
- Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D. | 1967
- Vanderbilt University, B.A. | 1964
Bar Admissions
- Tennessee
Court Admissions
- United States Supreme Court
- Tennessee Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the District of Columbia
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
- United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
Related Services
Representation
- Defense of Ford in the Pinto case prosecution
- Defense of Eddie DeBartolo in the Edwin Edwards case
- Defense of Pilot Flying J in federal investigation and criminal indictment of employees
- Defense of Pfizer in multiple cases
- Defense of Bridgestone Americas in tread blowout cases
Education
- Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D. | 1967
- Vanderbilt University, B.A. | 1964
Bar Admissions
- Tennessee
Court Admissions
- United States Supreme Court
- Tennessee Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the District of Columbia
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
- United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana