Kyle F. Mothershead
Top rated Civil Rights attorney in Brentwood, Tennessee
Relentless Advocacy, PLLC
Practice areas: Civil Rights, Criminal Defense, Constitutional Law; view more
Licensed in Tennessee since: 2003
Education: Vanderbilt University Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2025 Call today:
615-949-4216
Relentless Advocacy, PLLC
7000 Executive Center DrSuite 240
Brentwood, TN 37027 Visit website
Kyle F. Mothershead serves as the lead attorney at Relentless Advocacy, PLLC, in Brentwood, Tennessee, bringing over two decades of courtroom experience and a remarkable legacy of advocacy to the firm. His distinguished practice spans civil rights, police misconduct, criminal defense and constitutional law, reflecting an unwavering commitment to defending individual liberties and confronting abuses of power.
Since earning his Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2002 – where Mr. Mothershead was recognized with multiple honors – his legal career has reflected a steadfast commitment to upholding constitutional rights within the justice system.
Following law school, Mr. Mothershead clerked for Judge Aleta Arthur Trauger in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, an influential early chapter that shaped his approach to federal litigation. Rather than pursuing a career at a prestigious corporate firm, he made the conscious decision to serve his community as a Metro Nashville public defender. During more than eight years in that role, he represented both adults and juveniles facing the court system. His dedication to those most in need allowed him to refine formidable litigation skills and gave rise to an unwavering set of principles centered on justice and accountability.
In 2012, Mr. Mothershead established his own practice, marking the start of a new chapter characterized by a series of high-impact cases in federal constitutional law. Notably, he served as lead counsel in the widely publicized class action lawsuit against Rutherford County concerning juvenile arrest and detention practices. This landmark litigation not only received national attention through the New York Times podcast “The Kids of Rutherford County,” but also set a significant precedent in advocating for the rights of minors entangled in the justice system.
Since founding Relentless Advocacy, PLLC, in 2021, Mr. Mothershead has continued to champion cases that demand institutional accountability. His efforts remain firmly rooted in constitutional advocacy, overseeing a firm devoted to confronting systemic injustices. He has a perfect “10.0” rating on Avvo.
Practice areas
Civil Rights, Criminal Defense, Constitutional LawFocus areas
Police Misconduct
- 50% Civil Rights
- 30% Criminal Defense
- 20% Constitutional Law
First Admitted: 2003, Tennessee
Professional Webpage: https://www.relentlesslaw.com/team
Bar / Professional Activity
- Tennessee
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- $236,000 settlement in Ralph Ward v. Kevin Reynolds et al, a federal civil rights lawsuit based on allegations of false arrest and malicious prosecution by officers of the Metro Nashville Police Department. This is one of the highest settlements Metro Nashville has ever agreed to in the context of a false arrest allegation., 2023
- Hopkins v. Nichols, U.S. Middle District of Tenn. 42 USC 1983 lawsuit for warrantless seizure of approximately $25,000 worth of cows. Jury trial verdict finding all defendants liable, awarding $385,001 in compensatory and $110,000 in punitive damages. After the court granted motions to add attorney's fees, costs, and pre- and post-judgment interest, the final judgment exceeded $1 million., 2023
- $11 million claims made class action settlement in Geerts et al v. Rutherford County, Tennessee. Mr. Mothershead served as Lead Counsel for the Plaintiffs and classes. Case alleged illegal mass incarceration of children by Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center pursuant to illegal "Filter System" detention policy. The United States Middle District of Tennessee granted a preliminary injunction against the County, ending its illegal juvenile incarceration regime. The parties ultimately reached a claims made class action settlement, with a maximum potential value of $11 million. Due to the number of claims made the ultimate payout was approximately $5.1 million. The settlement also included permanent injunctive relief., 2021
- $2.25 million settlement in Estate of Daniel Hambrick v. Metropolitan Government of Nashville Davidson County, Tennessee et al. Civil rights claim against municipality and a police officer based on the officer shooting and killing Mr. Daniel Hambrick while he was running away. Case filed in the U.S. Middle District of Tennessee, ultimately settled for $2.25 million., 2021
Representative Clients
- Geerts et al. v. Rutherford County, Tennessee. I served as lead Plaintiffs' counsel in a class action alleging that Rutherford County, Tennessee maintained policies of illegal arrest and incarceration of children over the course of decades, resulting in the illegal arrest and incarceration of thousands of children. After obtaining a preliminary injunction against the county in federal court, the case ultimately settled for permanent injunctive relief and millions in compensation. The case also triggered a Pro Publica investigation resulting in nationwide media coverage, which ultimately resulted in investigations of the Rutherford County Juvenile Court judge and her public decision to not seek reelection., 2022
Pro bono / Community Service
- Co-Chair of Nashville Organized for Action and Hope ("NOAH") Criminal Justice Committee. Served with NOAH from 2016 - 2019, and as co-chair of the Criminal Justice Committee from 2017 - 2019. During this period Mr. Mothershead spearheaded the Gideon's Army "Driving While Black: Nashville" report, which used Metro Nashville Police Department data to demonstrate racial disparities and potential discrimination in traffic stops and roadside searches. Mr. Mothershead was also heavily involved with Nashville's Community Oversight Board movement, which NOAH actively supported and which ultimately resulted in a referendum establishing citizen oversight over the Metro Nashville Police Department for the first time., 2019
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- In response to a Nashville Bar Journal article published by two Nashville Assistant District Attorneys that alleged a growing juvenile crime wave and advocated a "tough on crime" response, Mr. Mothershead published this article relying on statistical information and Department of Justice studies to (a) debunk the myth that juvenile crime in Nashville was growing during the period 2008 - 2009, which it was not, and (b) debunk the myth that prosecution of juveniles in the adult criminal justice system reduces recidivism, which it does not., Author, Reality Check: Debunking the Myth of the "Growing Rate of Juvenile Crime in Nashville" and other Fantasies, Nashville Bar Journal, Legal, 2010
Office location for Kyle F. Mothershead
7000 Executive Center Dr
Suite 240
Brentwood, TN 37027
Phone: 615-949-4216
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2025
