Mr. Harwell focuses his practice on commercial litigation, white-collar criminal defense and crisis management. Through the years he has been involved in many cases receiving national attention. He has been counsel for numerous public officials including judges, governors, congressmen, state senators, mayors and state attorneys general. For the last several years, he has represented Pilot Flying J, the sixth largest private company in the country, regarding numerous issues arising out of the execution of a search warrant on the corporate offices in
Knoxville, Tennessee by approximately 100 Federal agents in April 2013.
- Mr. Harwell has authored or co-authored several legal publications and is a frequent speaker at seminars and symposiums throughout the United States. He is the chair holder of the Chair of Excellence in the Jones School of Business at Middle Tennessee State University.
- Areas of Expertise:
White-Collar Criminal Law
. Civil Litigation
' Crisis Management
- Experience:
Mr. Harwell has represented and continues to represent Bridgestone Americas in
regard to a variety of matters including alleged tire tread separation issues and foreign corrupt practice and investigations
'He is also counsel to former San Francisco 49ers owner, Eddie DeBartolo in various matters including a completed Federal criminal case involving former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards
. He has been counsel for numerous public officials, including judges, governors,
congressmen, state senators, mayors and state attorneys general
. Represented a bond trader associated with Michael Milken in the Drexel Burnham Lambert case
. Representation of a former White House aide who was the subject of the Ken Starr investigation of president William Clinton and others
- Education:
. Vanderbilt School of Law
. Vanderbilt University
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- Bar and Court Admissions:
' American Bar Association
' Tennessee Bar Association
. United State Supreme Court
' Tennessee State Supreme Court
. U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Second, Fifth, Sixth and Eleventh and D.C. Circuit
' U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Eastern and Western
Districts of Tennessee
' Eastern District of Kentucky
' Eastern and Western Districts of Louisiana
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- Awards & Recognition:
' TJ. Martell Foundation Spirit of Nashville Award,2016
' 2015 David Rutherford Award, Nashville Bar Foundation
' SEABOTA2014 Trial Lawyer of the Year
' AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review, highest rating awarded
' Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
' Best Lawyers in America for 25 Years
r Best Lawyers in Tennessee
' (/ho's Who Legal (Business Crime)
' Best of the Bar, Nashville Business Journal
' Mid-South Super Lawyers
' Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
' Nashvillian of the Year 2002
' Distinguished Alumnus Award, Vanderbilt University School of Law
' National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Boy Scouts of America
' National Silver Buffalo Award, Boy Scouts of America
' Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award, Community foundation of Nashville, Tennessee
' John Tune Public Service Award, Nashville Bar Association
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- Professional Affiliations :
. Member and National Board Member, American Board of Trial Advocates
. Member and President, Tennessee Chapter, American Board of Trial Advocates
' Life Member, Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference
' Member, American Bar Association
' Member, Tennessee Bar Association
' Member and Past President, Nashville Bar Association
' Fellow, Nashville Bar Foundation
' Fellow, Tennessee Bar Foundation
' Ingram Industries lnc. -Board of Director's
' FCA Ventures Funds -Board of Directors
' Piedmont Natural Gas -Board of Directors (Retired)
- Community Involvement:
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- ?Member and Former Chairman, Board of Trustees, Community Foundation of
Middle Tennessee
- Member and Former Chairman, Board of Trustees, Vanderbilt University Children's Hospital
- Member and former Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees, Meharry Medical College
- Member and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Nashville School of Law
- Executive Board Member & Immediate Past Treasurer, National Council, Boy
Scouts of America
- Member, Former President and Former Chairman, Executive Board, Middle
Tennessee Council, Boy Scouts of America
- ?Former Member, Board of Trustees, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Member and Former Chairman, Board of Trustees, Easter Seals Society of
Tennessee
- ?Member and Former Chairman, Board of Trustees, Tennessee Performing Arts
Center
- ?Member, Board of Trustees, The Frist Center for the Visual Arts
- ?Member and Immediate Former Chairman, Board of Directors, Music City Bowl
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- Notable/Representative Cases (or Clients):
- ?Pilot Flying J
- Bridgestone Americas
- Pfizer
- ?Tennessee Valley Authority
- Atmos Energy