Jonathan R. BurnsNASHVILLE, TN -  July 12, 2016 - Bone McAllester Norton PLLC is pleased to announce that Jonathan R. Burns has joined the firm.

Jonathan R. Burns concentrates his law practice in the areas of estate planning, probate, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and taxation.

“Adding Jonathan contributes to our strategic growth plan for the firm,” said Chairman Charles W. Bone. “He brings significant experience in the estate planning and taxation areas of law which is especially important to our clients.  He’s a welcome new member of our dynamic group of highly skilled attorneys.”

Jonathan received his J.D. from the University of Mississippi in 2010 and received his L.L.M. in Taxation from Washington University in St. Louis in 2011.  He graduated cum laude from Middle Tennessee State University in 2006 with a Bachelor in Business Administration degree.  Jonathan is licensed to practice in both Tennessee and Mississippi.

Before joining Bone McAllester Norton, Jonathan practiced law with Watkins & McNeilly where he was able to develop his skills in the areas of business law and estate planning.

For the full release, please click here.

Marshall T. “Marty” CookHendersonville's popular Indian Lake area is getting a $40 million senior living community.  The development, Clarendale of Hendersonville will be at the corner of Indian Lake Boulevard   and Maple Drive housing 184 units with several amenities including dining, a crafts room, a library and a billiards room.

The development is a joint venture between Ryan Companies and LCS.  Marty Cook of Bone McAllester Norton is serving as legal counsel for the project.

For more information, the original press release is here.

The article has been featured in the Nashville Post and REJournals.com.

It is hard not to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of this day.  Even as I left for work this morning the traffic at my local Kroger was heavier.  We've heard several reports from our co-workers that there wasn't even parking available at Trader Joes this morning in Green Hills!

 Two Buck ChuckRumor has it that if you're looking for some Two Buck Chuck, you might be out of luck today.

Looks like The Tennessean has done a great job regaling the timeline of this morning's sales across the mid-state.  To read the article, click here.

Drink responsibly of course, and enjoy this historic day!

From all the attorneys, legal assistants and paralegals here at Bone McAllester Norton who have worked tirelessly through the licensing process we wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July!

William T. Cheek IIIThe NBJ recently published an article about the future of alcohol law in Tennessee.  After an historic few years, July 1 marked the day that WIGS went live.  (To those of us in the industry, we refer to Wine In Grocery Stores as, WIGS.)

Nashville Business Journal reporter, Jacob Steimer, sat down with liquor law expert and BoneLaw attorney, Will Cheek, to discuss what's next.

Cheek offered some interesting insight into the Jan. 1 availability of high-gravity beer in grocery stores and discussed the pitfalls of wine on Sundays.

To read the full article, click here.

In summary, the next big battle will be liquor. At this time, you can go to the grocery store and buy wine, but you cannot purchase liquor.

Attorney Will Cheek has been quoted in a great article about the future of alcohol in Tennessee in the Nashville Scene.  To read the entire article, click here.

Nashville Scene Cover – 6/30/16We are hours away from 8 am, July 1, 2016 - the moment when nearly 500 retail stores across the state will be able to legally sell wine.

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I get asked a lot to serve as local counsel on cases for lawyers from LA, New York, Chicago and DC.  (I also end up hiring lawyers in those cities.)  Sometimes we’re asked to play a minor role – some call this “elbow counsel,” where we’re really just on the case in name only.  Generally, though, lead counsel sees that we can offer valuable insight into not just the substantive law but also the local landscape.  And I assure you the landscape here in Nashville is much different than it is in larger cities.

Given the sheer size of bigger cities, lawyers there often never appear more than once in front of the same judge and often never interact with the same opposing counsel.  With the virtual anonymity that comes with the territory in those jurisdictions, lawyers have every reason to practice scorched-earth litigation.  They can be as ruthless as they want – no one knows who they are and, very likely, no one will ever see them again.

Practice here in Nashville is completely different.  Although our city is booming, we have only four active U.S. District Judges and only four chancellors at the state court level.  In this big small town, everyone knows everyone. And how you conduct yourself in a single case can be remembered for the rest of your career.  Although we advocate zealously, we refuse to stab each other in the back.   And we know how easy it is to be short-sighted.  Given the close-knit relationships here, we still litigate with a Southern gentility, or what the profession calls “civility.”  I hope it always stays this way, even as we grow and welcome newcomers from other jurisdictions.

We're honored to have made the list of The Tennessean's Top Workplaces!

Bone McAllester Norton has been awarded a 2016 Top Workplace honor by The Tennessean.  The Top Workplaces lists are based solely on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by Workplace Dynamics, LLC.  Several aspects of workplace culture were measured with rankings and essay questions where data was compiled, compared and provided back to the firm for process improvement as well as training and retention programs.

“The Top Workplaces award is not a popularity contest. And oftentimes, people assume it’s all about fancy perks and benefits.” says Doug Claffey, CEO of WorkplaceDynamics. “But to be a Top Workplace, organizations must meet our strict standards for organizational health. And who better to ask about work life than the people who live the culture every day—the employees. Time and time again, our research has proven that what’s most important to them is a strong belief in where the organization is headed, how it’s going to get there, and the feeling that everyone is in it together. Claffey adds, “Without this sense of connection, an organization doesn’t have a shot at being named a Top Workplace.”

For the full article, click here.

Stacey Garrett KojuStacey Garrett Koju, founding member of Bone McAllester Norton held an employment law workshop for the members of NACE, the National Association for Catering and Events.  This event was held to offer the latest and best practical information in today's world of employment law.

On Wednesday, June 22, 2016, Stacey put together a team of  lawyers specializing in the different areas of liability, estate planning, salary regulations, negligence and the latest in liquor licensing for the members of NACE.  The agenda included:

Anne C. Martin - Employment Law Trends

C. Davild Briley - Employee Liability 

David M. Anthony - Contract Essentials, Unpaid Accounts, Third Party Claims and Equipment Recover 

Jonathan R. Burns - Estate and Succession Planning

Will T. Cheek, III and Olatayo O. Atanda - Front Line Stories and Professional Tips with Liquor Licensing

 

We have all heard how Nashville is the "IT" city.  According to VP of Research, Garrett Harper at the Nashville Chamber of Commerce,  71 people move to the Nashville region each day.

Our client, the Ryman Hospitality Properties is banking on that.  In the last couple of years they have poured over $30 million into renovations and purchases in downtown Nashville.

Just last week the announcement was made that Ryman Hospitality purchased 114 Second Avenue North and plans to turn that location into a new entertainment venue.

To read the entire article in The Tennessean, click here.

 

We're just happy to be here.

Wine In Grocery Stores (WIGS) is happening.  The time is near - we are about two weeks away from the July 1 date that allows businesses with the appropriate license to sell wine in Tennessee retail food stores.

The Alcoholic Beverage Commission has been churning out conditional letters of approval and retail food store licenses.  Kudos to the new Executive Director, Clay Byrd!  For the full story in The Tennessean, click here.

Our Alcoholic Beverage  Law Group has been working round the clock as well. This team of attorneys, paralegals and assistants are the go-to source for liquor licensing in Tennessee.  Led by Will Cheek - attorney, self-proclaimed foodie, and author of the well-known blog, Last Call.

We are so excited to see the lineup for this fall's Pilgrimage Festival.  A client of BoneLaw, this event is in its second year and slated to be better than the first.

The Tennessean has a great article about what the planners learned from the inaugural event and changed made as a result.  To read the article, click here.

An excerpt from the article:

What's new for year 2?

We talked to Pilgrimage Festival co-founders Kevin Griffin and Brandt Wood about what's new and improved about Pilgrimage in its second year:

It'll be easier to get a beverage: "We're putting a few more bars in, because people came thirsty," says Wood. "We noticed some (long) beer lines, and we were called out on it. We are going to fix that by adding more bartenders, more bars and the same great selection of craft beer, wine and spirits. We weren't sure how robust it needed to be, and it was impressive. People came out to party."

Griffin had to be talked into booking his own band, Better Than Ezra: "I didn't want it to be, 'Hey! I started a festival, and I'm playing!'" Griffin explains. "You know? In a spot (on the lineup) that's too high. I didn't want to give anybody any ammo (to criticize the festival), because I wanted to have a purity of the whole thing. This is what this (festival) is about. It's not about my performing career. But so many people said, 'We want you to play,' and I can get my band cheap."  Read more. . . 

In my research for this short piece I am reminded of an interesting fact- Walmart is the largest retailer in the world.  The World.

All across Tennessee, our client, Walmart, is preparing for the sale of wine in its stores.  What an undertaking this is for them; there are 104 Walmart stores and 16 Sam's Club locations in Tennessee!

Officials said, "Walmart is making it simple for customers to get their groceries, their favorite wines and everything else they need, all in one place, and at our Every Day Low Prices."

For the full article in The Chattanoogan, click here.

For the news report with WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News, click here.

For the full article in The Tennessean, click here.

Bone McAllester Norton partnered with Burr Forman to license Walmart statewide in Tennessee.

15 days remain until wine in grocery stores is available across the state, for many of us, this just means we have one less stop to make on the way home.

This photo was taken just after Will Cheek, Tucker Herndon (partner at Burr Forman) and Tennessee's ABC Director Clay Bird got the first of 104 Walmart and 16 Sam's Club liquor licenses for wine in grocery stores!  BoneLaw's Liquor Law Expert, Will Cheek, writes about this historic moment in his blog, Last Call.

L to R: Tucker Herndon, Director Byrd and Will CheekWill Cheek leads the firm’s Alcoholic Beverage Team and writes an informative and often entertaining blog, Last Call, covering alcohol and hospitality news and events.  He is nationally known as the go-to source for Tennessee Liquor Law.

Opry Mills Eyed for Tennessee's First Enclosed Retail Center Distillery

From:  Nashville Post

In a move that could yield a first for Nashville and the state, Metro Councilman Jeff Syracuse is seeking to amend Metro’s code to permit an artisan distiller to operate at Opry Mills mall.

Specifically, Syracuse’s move involves an update to the code that regulates the city’s various commercial attraction (CA) districts.

“We’re doing due diligence to see if it’s viable,” said Syracuse, in whose District 15 the mall sits. “It would be a great amenity for Opry Mills.”

At press time, the company had not consented to being identified, and its name is on no Metro or state documents. Syracuse, who declined to ID the company, said much work remains to be done on the effort. The Metro Planning Department has yet to finalize rezoning request documents.

“We are beginning the process of making sure from a zoning and building code perspective that all factors — such as ventilation and fire suppression systems — are considered,” he said. Syracuse said officials with the Metro Planning and Codes departments are expected to meet later this week to discuss the issue.

Robert D. PinsonRob Pinson, a Bone McAllester Norton attorney with a focus on alcoholic beverage law, is representing the prospective distillery. He declined to disclose the identification of the company but noted it is not located in Tennessee.

“The company would like to offer flavored vodkas and moonshine,” Pinson said. “They will rely heavily on foot traffic at the mall.”

If it materializes, the distillery would be the first to operate within an enclosed mall in the state. In contrast, Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine distills at outdoor shopping center The Island in Pigeon Forge.

Davidson County is home to Corsair Artisan Distillery located in Wedgewood-Houston and Marathon Village, Nelson’s Greenbrier, Nashville Craft Distillery, SPEAKeasy Spirits Distillery and Prichard’s Distillery at Fontanel in Joelton. Metro has approximately 57 CA districts, all located within the general Opry Mills and Music Valley area in east Davidson County.

Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group owns Opry Mills mall.



 

This article copied entirely from the Nashville Post.

Gigi Butler - Gigi's CupcakesOur client and friend, Gina Butler, has sold her business.  You may have heard of it - Gigi's Cupcakes?  Its only a local favorite, a Nashville start-up with now over 105 stores in the United States in under eight years.  Gigi's Cupcakes is one of the most sought after gourmet cupcake and bakeries in the country!

We are so excited for Gina Butler and her new role as Chief Innovator!

There is a great story about the sale to Texas-based private equity group, FundCorp. in the Nashville Business Journal.  Please click here for the story.

W. Justin AdamsNASHVILLE, TN –Bone McAllester Norton is pleased to announce the addition of W. Justin Adams. Justin Adams is an experienced business lawyer and litigator who represents companies and individuals in corporate, health care, and employment transactions and disputes, often in the role of outside general counsel. He also represents individuals in criminal and civil investigations.

As a business lawyer, Justin has served as outside general counsel to health care and other businesses, represented buyers and sellers in multi-million dollar health care transactions, and advised health care companies on Stark and Anti-Kickback issues. As a litigator, he has helped businesses and individuals win victories and negotiate favorable settlements in complex commercial, employment, and regulatory disputes as well as state and federal criminal cases and government investigations.

“Justin will be an enormous asset for our corporate, health care, employment, and dispute resolution groups,” said Chairman Charles W. Bone. “He has an impressive track record of advising businesses and individuals in a broad range of complex transactions and disputes.”

Justin holds a J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School (2001, Order of the Coif) and a B.A. in English from Sewanee: The University of the South (1998, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa). Before beginning legal practice, he clerked for the Honorable Andrew J. Kleinfeld of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Before joining Bone McAllester Norton, Justin practiced thirteen years with Trauger & Tuke, where he began his career and focused on corporate, healthcare, and employment law as well as civil litigation and criminal defense.

David AnthonyBone McAllester Norton attorney, David Anthony, offers some sound advice for those considering burning traffic citations.

"I would advise a client not to listen to Representative Holt if the client received a ticket in the mail" says Anthony.  "It may not be likely for a municipality to sue someone for a $50 ticket, but it is certainly possible."

For the full article/video, please click here.

Yesterday at the TABC (Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission) meeting, a new head of the agency, Clayton Byrd, was named.  Mr. Byrd replaces Ginna Winfree, who was the agency's attorney and had been serving as interim director since Keith Bell resigned in March of this year.

Will Cheek, Tennessee's alcoholic beverage law expert, said he is pleased with the decision.

William T. Cheek III"Kudos to the ABC for selecting Director Byrd. He has industry experience, knows many of the key players and seems to be precisely what the ABC needs to best serve the alcoholic beverage industry, which is a key economic engine for Tennessee," Cheek stated.

Will Cheek leads the firm's Alcoholic Beverage Team and writes an informative and often entertaining blog, Last Call, covering alcohol and hospitality news and events.  He is nationally known as the go-to source for Tennessee Liquor Law.

A full article was written by Cari Wade Gervin for the Nashville Post.

Are you a gutter ball guru or a clean sweep?  Spare me.

Kings Bowl in Franklin will be right up your alley.

This past weekend's, Tennessean Portfolio features an article about Bone McAllester Norton client, Kings Bowl.  Click here for the full article in The Tennessean.

Kings Bowl has recently opened in the Cool Springs Galleria Mall.  With 25,000 square feet of bowling, eating and live music, there is sure to be some kind of fun for everyone.  And to make certain that is true, the Kings national chain has an executive chef with a full-service kitchen, a craft beer room and a whiskey room - along with a few lanes for bowling.