MISSION DRIVEN. INDUSTRY DISRUPTING. SOLUTION ORIENTED.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
CONSTRUCTION
Construction law is a niche area of practice that deals with issues related to the construction industry, including the planning, design, and execution of residential and commercial construction projects. Topics include, without limitation, contracts, OSHA, workers' compensation, liability, insurance, payment issues, and defect claims.
BUSINESS
From inception of an idea to established businesses, we aim to be a proactive resource to de-risk and avoid issues for new and seasoned business owners. Corporate formation, operating agreements, and strategic contract documents are necessitated by sophisticated customers and essential for a foundation in business.
LITIGATION
We initiate and defend claims on a variety of subjects, including construction matters, corporate issues, and general disputes.
REGULATORY
Regulatory representation is comprised of advising and defending contractors in licensing and governmental matters like OSHA investigations.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Mediation and arbitration are common forms of alternative dispute resolution that are either optional or mandatory under a contract. We routinely craft these provisions and engage in these proceedings.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Amidst the entrepreneurial boom in recent years and emergence of more businesses than ever, it has become increasingly important for those established to protect their name, images, and likeness against competitors and infringers. Trademarks are an easy, cost-effective step towards protection.
OUR VISION
At Shields Construction Law, our mission is to provide unwavering legal excellence and personalized client advocacy that is tailored to our clients' needs, avoiding a "one-size-fits-all" mentality. Our dedicated team of legal professionals strives to deliver innovative, practical, and creative solutions that strategically advance the interests of our clients through collaboration internally, with our clients, and expert
Kristen Shields | Managing Partner
Kristen Shields has significant litigation experience in a wide variety of governmental matters and complex litigation, focusing in construction, corporate, and commercial litigation. She has also worked in insurance-related arbitration and anti-trust and financial matters. Having handled thousands of cases and conducted 150 jury trials, Kristen devotes fierce advocacy for the clients of Shields Construction Law with a 97% success rate in litigation, licensing matters, and defense against regulatory authorities.
She assists developers, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers on private and public projects with transactional services as well as dispute related litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
Education
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Cumberland School of Law, J.D. – Certificate in Trial Advocacy
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Birmingham-Southern College, B.A. cum laude
Professional Recognition
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Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Commercial Litigation, 2021
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The Prosecutor’s Award 2015-2016, V.O.C.A.L. Southern Region
Admissions
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Alabama Supreme Court, 2011
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Oklahoma Supreme Court, 2021
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Tennessee Supreme Court, 2018
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United States District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, 2019
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United States District Court, Middle District of Tennessee, 2020
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United States District Court, Western District of Tennessee, 2020
Selected Professional and Civic Activities
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Tennessee Association of Construction Counsel
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Tennessee Bar Association
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Alabama State Bar
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Lawyers’ Association for Women-Marion Griffin Chapter
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BNI for Middle Tennessee, West End Chapter
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Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International—Nashville Alumni Chapter
and Hull Chapter
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Cumberland School of Law Alumni Association
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Birmingham-Southern College Alumni Association
Christopher Beverly | Associate Attorney
Christopher ("Chris") Beverly has a broad range of experience spanning multiple practice areas including federal copyright and complex civil litigation, contract disputes, and administrative litigation. He has handled numerous contract reviews for entertainment clients and has procured favorable settlements/negotiations over the course of his practice, securing over $1 million for his clients. Over the course of his career, Chris was instrumental in groundbreaking multi-plaintiff litigation representing various comedians against major streaming-services who infringed upon their intellectual property rights in a multi-million-dollar lawsuit.
He also assists business owners and entrepreneurs with their transactional needs, such as contract drafting and review, as well as dispute related litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
Chris has served as an Adjunct Professor of Pre-Law in the Political Science and International Relations Department at Middle Tennessee State University since 2015. He also serves on the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Troubadour Advisory Council in Nashville, TN, supporting its Community Counts initiative since 2021.
Education
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Belmont University College of Law, J.D. – Founding Entertainment Law Society Member
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Middle Tennessee State University, B.S. – Music Business, Public Relations
Professional Recognition
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Tennessee Bar Association’s Public Service Academy – Class of 2019
Admissions
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Tennessee Supreme Court, 2017
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United States District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, pending
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United States District Court, Middle District of Tennessee, pending
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United States District Court, Western District of Tennessee, pending
Selected Professional and Civic Activities
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Tennessee Bar Association
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Nashville Bar Association
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Tennessee Association of Construction Counsel
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Belmont University College of Law Alumni Association
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Country Music Hall of Fame’s Troubadour Society
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Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville - Volunteer Lawyers and
Professionals for the Arts
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Sons of the American Legion
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The American Legion Boys State Program
Caleb Conner | Associate Attorney
Caleb Conner is a graduate of Belmont University College of Law and recent admittee to the Bar. Caleb primarily centers his practice around transactional matters related to the construction industry, where he thrives on crafting unique agreements that accurately reflect and protect his clients’ businesses. Caleb also actively supports the litigation team at Shields Construction Law, integrally assisting the firm in zealous advocacy for its clients’ rights.
As a natural entrepreneur, Caleb is passionate about helping other people who make things solve their problems. Whether it be small business owners, homeowners, or large general contractors, his approach as counsel stays the same –– to effectively distill complex information into a legible format for the making of reasoned and informed business decisions.
Education
Belmont University College of Law, J.D.
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University of Tennessee, B.S.B.A – Finance, Entrepreneurship
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University of Tennessee, B.A. – Philosophy
Admissions
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Tennessee Supreme Court, 2023
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United States District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, pending
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United States District Court, Middle District of Tennessee, pending
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United States District Court, Western District of Tennessee, pending
Selected Professional and Civic Activities
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Tennessee Bar Association
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Tennessee Association of Construction Counsel
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Belmont University College of Law Alumni Association
Caitlyn Stacey
Legal Assistant
Caitlyn Stacey | Legal Assistant
Caitlyn Stacey is a dedicated to providing invaluable support in the pursuit of legal excellence and is integral to our legal operations.
Her commitment to detail ensures that all aspects of case management, from document preparation to trial coordination, are executed with precision and efficiency. Caitlyn's organizational skills enhance the workflow of our legal team as she aids the attorneys and clients alike.
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