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 before trial and appellate courts.
REGULATORY
Regulatory representation is comprised of advising contractors through the licensure process 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 before, 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 witnesses.
Kristen Shields
Managing Partner
Tel: (615) 856-1504
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
Chris Beverly
Associate Attorney
Tel: (615) 706-9248
Christopher Beverly | Associate Attorney
Christopher (“Chris”) 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 negotiations for entertainment clients and has procured favorable settlements over the course of his practice, securing over $3 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. Since 2023, Chris has assisted the litigation division at Shields Construction Law, PLLC, and has most recently engaged in multi-million-dollar litigation on behalf of several businesses, contractors, and homeowners to protect their business and property interests, including federal trade secrets claims.
Chris’s dedication to his community is wide-reaching. He was most recently elected to serve as the ’24 President Elect for Belmont University’s College of Law Alumni Council. Since 2021, he has served on the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Troubadour Advisory Council in Nashville, TN, supporting its Community Counts initiative helping provide educational opportunities to youth throughout the Greater-Nashville area. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Pre-Law in the Political Science and International Relations Department at MTSU since 2015. Other volunteer efforts include nearly two decades of dedication and service as an instructional staff member to the North Carolina American Legion Boys’ State Program and the Sons of the American Legion, where he helped shape the leaders of the future and worked side by side with veterans.
Education
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Belmont University College of Law, J.D.
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Founding Entertainment Law Society Member
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Founding Federalist Society Member
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Middle Tennessee State University, B.S. – Music Business, Public Relations
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GrammyU Member
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NARM Member
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Professional Recognition
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Tennessee Bar Association’s Public Service Academy – Class of 2019
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Belmont University College of Law Alumni Council President Elect – 2024
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
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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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American Bar Association
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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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BMI
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Sons of the American Legion
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The American Legion Boys State Program
Caleb Conner
Associate Attorney
Tel: (615) 706-9331
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
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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
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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
Hannah Roy
Law Clerk
Hannah Roy | Law Clerk
Hannah Roy is a dedicated law student at the University of Louisville currently serving as a law clerk, leveraging her experience as a former paralegal. With a strong foundation in legal research, case management, and client advocacy in a variety of litigation areas including business and commercial contracts and personal injury matters, she is passionate about pursuing a career in business and technology law.
Complementing her studies, Hannah plays an active role in the day to day needs of the firm, where she is immersed in diverse aspects of construction litigation.
Education
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Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, J.D. Candidate (Expected Graduation in May 2027)
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Middle Tennessee State University, B.S. cum laude
Sarah Kovach
Law Clerk
Sarah Kovach | Law Clerk
Sarah Kovach is a Tennessee native and proudly serving the legal community as a Law Clerk with the firm. A graduate of Samford University, Sarah received a full scholarship to the Belmont University College of Law. Sarah continues to provide key support to both the transactional and litigation practice groups.
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.
