Thomas W. Shumate IV
Top rated Business Litigation attorney in Nashville, Tennessee
Thompson Burton PLLC
Practice areas: Business Litigation, Employment & Labor, Employment Litigation; view more
Licensed in Tennessee since: 1998
Education: University of Notre Dame Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2011, 2013 Call today:
615-560-3623
Thompson Burton PLLC
1801 West End AveSuite 1550
Nashville, TN 37203 Visit website
Tom Shumate has spent more than twenty-five years helping individuals and businesses in Nashville navigate complex civil disputes, bringing both seasoned litigation skill and a genuinely personal touch to every matter he handles. Particularly known for his work in business and employment litigation and non-compete disputes, Tom pairs deep legal knowledge with a modern, client-first philosophy.
Partner, Thompson Burton PLLC
Tom Shumate is a partner at Thompson Burton, PLLC, a forward-thinking, full-service law firm with offices in Nashville, Franklin, and Huntsville, as well as Washington, D.C. Thompson Burton is home to over sixty attorneys and redefines the practice of law by utilizing creativity, technology, flexibility, and innovation to deliver exceptional results for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and individuals.
Driven by the highest standards of personal and professional integrity, Tom goes to the greatest lengths for his clients. He analyzes their legal issues and provides honest, objective feedback about the risks and benefits of their options and the most cost-effective way to address their needs.
Tom developed his litigation expertise at mid-sized law firms in Nashville, gaining extensive experience in business litigation, employment disputes, insurance defense, and unfair competition. Over the years, he has built a distinguished reputation, particularly in handling non-competition agreements, trade secret matters, and business tort disputes. His practice encompasses business, contract, and employment litigation; disputes involving restrictive covenants and theft of trade secrets; insurance defense; and personal injury and wrongful death actions.
In 2014, Tom founded Meridian Law, PLLC, where he spent over a decade sharpening not only his litigation skills but also his ability to run a client-centered practice from the ground up. Building and leading a firm that grew to serve thousands of clients gave Tom a perspective that few litigators have—he understands the pressures business owners face because he has lived them, and that firsthand experience makes him a more effective counselor and advocate. On December 1, 2025, Tom’s core team at Meridian Law joined Thompson Burton, a natural next step that pairs his entrepreneurial drive and client-first philosophy with a larger platform offering broader resources and deeper bench strength across more than twenty practice areas. The combination allows Tom to offer his clients access to a wider range of legal services while continuing to provide the personalized attention and responsive service they have come to expect.
He is a frequent lecturer and author on topics such as covenants not to compete, legal ethics, law practice management, legal marketing, and technology. For years he authored of one of Tennessee’s first legal blogs, which focused on Tennessee non-compete law and related issues. His article, Game Over or Game On? The Future of Noncompetes, was published in Volume 60 of the Tennessee Bar Journal in July/August 2024.
Education
Tom graduated with honors from Vanderbilt University in 1995 and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1998. He has practiced in Nashville, Tennessee, since that time. In 2023, Tom completed the Vanderbilt Executive Education Leadership Coaching program.
Awards & Recognition
Tom has earned widespread recognition throughout his career for his professional accomplishments. He has been included in the 2024–2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation, and in 2026, he was also recognized for Business Organizations. He has been recognized as a "Super Lawyer" by the Mid-South Edition of Super Lawyers Magazine annually from 2020 through 2025, including recognition as a Top 100 Lawyer in Tennessee and a Top 50 Lawyer in Nashville in 2024–2025. Earlier in his career, he was selected as a "Rising Star" by the Mid-South Edition of Super Lawyers.Tom holds the prestigious "AV Preeminent" rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a perfect 10.0 rating from Avvo.com, and has been recognized as a 2023–2024 Client Champion with Platinum Distinction by Martindale-Hubbell.
Tom is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a Fellow of the Nashville Bar Association. He is a certified Legal Process Improvement Professional (LPIP) and an Eagle Scout.
Bar & Court Admissions
• Tennessee Supreme Court
• United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
• United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
• Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
• United States Supreme Court
• Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator
Professional Affiliations
Tom is actively involved in the legal profession through his memberships in the American Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the Nashville Bar Association, and the Williamson County Bar Association. He serves as a Master of the Bench in the Belmont Inn of Court for 2024–2026 and is a former member of the Harry Phillips Inn of Court. Tom is a member of the Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association and the Defense Research Institute. He is a two-time Chair and current Executive Committee member of the Law Office Technology and Management Section of the Tennessee Bar Association. He previously served on the Editorial Board of Law Practice Today and Law Practice magazine, publications of the ABA's Law Practice Management Section. He is a member of the 2016 Class of the Tennessee Bar Association's Leadership Law (TBALL) and a member of the Notre Dame Legal Association since 1998.
Community Involvement
Tom is deeply committed to community service. He was selected as a member of the 2023 Cohort of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Connect Program. He served on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tennessee from 2007 to 2020, during which time he co-founded the annual "Lawyers for Littles" Bowl for Kids' Sake event, raising more than $140,000 for the agency. He continues to serve on the Bowl for Kids’ Sake Committee and to host a table at the Agency’s annual fundraising event.
Tom currently serves on the Parents Council of Centre College. He is a Past Board Chair and member of the Father Ryan High School Alumni Board and a Past Chair and Board Member of the School Board of Christ the King School. He previously served on the Strategic Planning Committee of Saint Matthew School, as Cubmaster of Pack 45 at Christ the King Church, and as Legal Counsel for the Nashville Area Junior Chamber of Commerce, where he received the Spotlight Award in 2001. He is a member of the inaugural class of Nashville Emerging Leaders and the 2007 Class of Young Leaders Council.
Personal Interests
Beyond his legal practice, Tom values quality time with his family and enjoys attending his children's games and events, including his son’s lacrosse games at Centre College and his daughter’s bowling matches where she is a member of the Franklin Bowling Team. He takes every opportunity to be outdoors, whether tending to his yard or tackling one of Tennessee's "Top 100 Hikes." A well-known book enthusiast, his friends often joke about how many books he is reading at any given time. Tom also enjoys exploring the trails at Warner Parks, searching for Nashville's best burger (Husk remains a top contender), collecting bourbon, and supporting Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Centre, and Ole Miss athletics. His adventurous spirit continues to drive him, with aspirations of completing the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim hike and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro while his knees are still cooperating.
Practice areas
Business Litigation, Employment & Labor: Employer, Employment Litigation: Defense, General Litigation, Business/CorporateFocus areas
Business Formation and Planning, Business Organizations, Contracts, Employment Law - Employee, Employment Law - Employer, Limited Liability Companies, Litigation, Non-Compete Agreements, Partnership, Trade Secret, Wage & Hour Laws
- 30% Business Litigation
- 20% Employment & Labor: Employer
- 20% Employment Litigation: Defense
- 20% General Litigation
- 10% Business/Corporate
First Admitted: 1998, Tennessee
Professional Webpage: https://www.thompsonburton.com/attorney/tom-shumate
Bar / Professional Activity
- United States Supreme Court
- Nashville Bar Association
- Tennessee State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
- U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
- Tennessee
- Chair of Tennessee Bar Association's Law Practice Management Section, 2018
- Editorial Board of Law Practice, publication of the Law Practice Management Section of the American Bar Association, 2018
- Member of Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law Class, 2016
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Legal Process Improvement Professional (LPIP) Globally Certified., 2022
- Vanderbilt Executive Education Leadership Coaching Graduate. This program helps executive and supervisors build the competencies needed to coach effectively, build employee skills, address shortcomings, and develop leaders. Objectives include: 1) methods to enhance leadership capabilities through effective coaching, 2) how to use coaching to develop, attract and retain talented employees, 3) understand how to identify employees' key needs, set goals for their development, establish action plans and provide ongoing assessment, and 3) ways to positively motivate employees in ways that improve individual and team performance. , 2023
Pro bono / Community Service
- St. Matthew School in Franklin, Strategic Planning Committee
- Board of Directors, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, 2007 - 2014
- Past-Chair of the Father Ryan Alumni Board
- Immediate Past Chair, School Board of Christ the King School
- Cubmaster of Christ the King Cub Scout Pack 45, 2011
- Board and Executive Committee Member, Christ the King School Board, 2012
- Chair of Board of Directors of Father Ryan Alumni Association, 2012
Educational Background
- Graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a degree in English, B.A, with honors, 1995
- University of Notre Dame Law School, 1998
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Meridian’s managing member, Tom Shumate, recently had the privilege of co-presenting a CLE with Joseph Shelton entitled, “A Day in the Life of Noncompete Litigation…The Office Style,” in which they discussed non-compete disputes in the context of the fictional case of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, Inc. v. Michael Scott and the Michael Scott Paper Company, Inc. The CLE was presented by the NBA’s Employment Law and Civil Rights Committee., Co-Author, Speaker, A Day in the Life of Noncompete Litigation., Nashville Bar Association CLE, All, 2021
- Tom Shumate was honored to speak at the Tennessee Bar Association's "I am SOLO" event. He provided insight to solo and small firm attorneys on how and when to grow your law practice. He drew on his experience growing Meridian Law from one attorney to four attorneys, one paralegal, and one administrator in just over three years and discussed the business methods he used to expand the firm., Speaker, I am SOLO, 2018
- The presentation covered the “nuts and bolts” of the law surrounding non-compete agreements in Tennessee, the Tennessee healthcare non-compete statute, the injunctive relief process, drafting tips from the employer and employee perspective, tortious interference and inducement of breach of contract, and more., Speaker, Non-Competes: Tricks or Treats, Nashville Bar Association, 2018
- Privacy and Confidentiality in the Workplace: Protecting Your Employees' Rights and Your Organization's Information, Speaker, Council on Education in Management, 2006
- Law Office Technology and Management Section of the Tennessee Bar Association, Past Chair, and the Incoming Chair
- Law Practice Today webzine and Law Practice magazine, Law Practice Section of the American Bar Association, Past Member of the Editorial Boards
- Legal Recruiting and Hiring: Starting Out Right, Speaker, Council on Education in Management, 2006
- An Analysis of the Statutory Presumption of Reasonableness and Necessity of Medical Bills - Tenn. Code Ann. § 24-5-113, Author, Tennessee Bar Journal, 2001
- Social Media: Tips, Tools & Discovery, Speaker, Tennessee Association for Justice, 2011
- How to Grow Your Practice While Avoiding Malpractice Claims, Author and Speaker, Tennessee Bar Association, 2011
- Ethics of Wills and Estates 101, Author, Tennessee Bar Association, 2012
- Preventing Legal Malpractice: Know Thy Enemy, Author, Tennessee Bar Association, 2011
- Covenants Not to Compete, Author, Tennessee Bar Association, 2011
- Speaker, Metadata, Multitasking, and Disclaimers, Oh My!, Nashville Bar Association, 2010
- Departing Employee Technology Checklist: Keeping the Fox Out of the Henhouse, Author, apps.americanbar.org/lpm/lpt/articles/mgt04101.shtml, Law Practice Management Section of American Bar Association, 2010
- Law Tech 2010: Management and Technology Solutions for Your Firm, Co-Producer, Tennessee Bar Association, 2010
- Computers, Tequila and Handguns: Controlling Technology So It Doesn’t Control You, Author, apps.americanbar.org/lpm/lpt/articles/tch08091.shtml, Law Practice Management Section of American Bar Association, 2009
- Law Tech 2009: Management and Technology Solutions for Your Firm, Co-Producer, Tennessee Bar Association, 2009
- Law Tech 2008: Ethical Risks Created by Technology, Speaker, Tennessee Bar Association, 2008
- Using Client Communications to Avoid Malpractice Claims, Speaker, Tennessee Bar Association, 2007
- Emerging Areas of Potential Liability Caused by the Legal Profession’s Increasing Use of Technology, Speaker, Tennessee Bar Association, 2007
- Udom Undone: Tennessee Enacts New Law Regarding Physician Non-Compete Agreements, Author, Tennessee Medicine, Medical, 2007
- Practical Litigation Skills in Tennessee: Ethical Quandaries in Litigation, Speaker, Barristers Educational Services, 2006
- Workplace Violence and Terrorism: Protecting Your Organization, Speaker, Council on Education in Management, 2006
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Meridian Law will celebrate its 10th Anniversary in 2024, growing from a single attorney firm to 15 employee firm with 9 attorneys since 2014. , 2023
Honors
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in American 2024 for work in Commercial Litigation, Recognized in The Best Lawyers in American 2024, https://www.bestlawyers.com/lawyers/thomas-w-shumate-iv/320707, 2024
- The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce congratulates the fourth cohort of the Leadership Connect program. These business professionals were chosen through a competitive application process based on their civic and professional accomplishments and commitment to community engagement. The Leadership Connect program is designed for small business professionals to engage the next generation of community and business leaders. During the six-month program, participants will receive access to topic experts and opportunities to dialogue amongst peers and CEOs well-versed in community leadership., 2023 Leadership Connect Cohort - Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, https://www.nashvillechamber.com/blog/2022/2023-leadership-connect-cohort-announcement, 2023
- Super Lawyer (Midsouth, TN) 4 years running, https://profiles.superlawyers.com/tennessee/brentwood/lawyer/thomas-w-shumate-iv/12676d28-1594-436f-bb66-ce75bf1a94ef.html, 2023
- Client Champion - Platinum, https://www.martindale.com/attorney/thomas-w-shumate-iv-15157091/, 2023
- AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell, https://www.martindale.com/attorney/thomas-w-shumate-iv-15157091/, 2023
- Meridian Law, PLLC, is pleased to announce that Tom Shumate, its Founder and Managing Member, has been elected a Fellow of the Nashville Bar Foundation (NBF). Membership is limited to just 2% of the Nashville Bar Association membership. Members are nominated by their peers and selected by the NBF Board. The NBF Fellows Program was established in 1991 to honor attorneys who have contributed significantly to the community and demonstrated devotion to service to their clients and public interest. The Nashville Bar Foundation was incorporated in 1980 with the objective to raise an endowment that will allow the NBF to have an impact on initiatives in the Nashville legal community. Past contributions include such programs as Hurricane Katrina Relief for attorneys who were forced out of their law practices and funding of the NBA Modest Means Program to provide reduced fee legal services to qualified low-income individuals. Each year, the NBF issues grants to several organizations that have mission statements relative to the Nashville Bar Foundation. Additionally, the NBF made a substantial grant for nine years to support the community affairs and diversity programs of the Nashville Bar Association. , Bar Fellow of Nashville Bar Association, https://www.nashvillebar.org/?pg=NBFFellows, 2023
- Membership is limited to just one percent of lawyers licensed to practice in each jurisdiction. Members are nominated by their peers and selected by the ABF Board. The ABF Fellows is a global honorary society that recognizes attorneys, judges, law faculty and legal scholars whose public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the highest principles of the legal profession and to the welfare of their communities. ABF Fellows hail from nearly 40 countries and hold a wide variety of influential roles. , Fellow of the American Bar Association, American Bar Association, 2021
- Rising Star, https://profiles.superlawyers.com/tennessee/brentwood/lawyer/thomas-w-shumate-iv/12676d28-1594-436f-bb66-ce75bf1a94ef.html, 2013
- “Rising Star” by the Mid-South edition of Super Lawyers Magazine, https://profiles.superlawyers.com/tennessee/brentwood/lawyer/thomas-w-shumate-iv/12676d28-1594-436f-bb66-ce75bf1a94ef.html, 2011
- 10 rating from Avvo
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Excellent attorney. Very professional and knowledgeable.”
“Tom is an exceptional lawyer. He's a responsive and effective communicator and is extraordinarily compassionate in difficult situations. Very experienced and understands how to navigate complex matters, and does so while problem-solving instead of wasting clients' time and money. He has integrity and follows the rules, both written and unwritten. Top-notch attorney no matter the amount in controversy.”
“Outstanding practitioner to whom I regularly refer potential clients for business advice and litigation services. I highly recommend Tom and his firm.”
“Tom is an outstanding business litigation attorney.”
“Excellent lawyer. Tom is a hard working, dedicated attorney with many years of experience.”
Office location for Thomas W. Shumate IV
1801 West End Ave
Suite 1550
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: 615-560-3623
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2025
- Rising Stars: 2011, 2013
