Nashville's Pre-Eminent Law Firm Since 1971

Legal Strategy Built to Win. Counsel You Can Trust.

Ortale Kelley combines decades of courtroom experience with creative legal strategy to deliver results for individuals, businesses, and institutions across Tennessee.

615.256.9999 Mon–Fri 8am–6pm
Why Ortale Kelley

A Firm Built on Proven Excellence

In Practice Since 1971

More than five decades of legal excellence, institutional knowledge, and sustained client relationships make Ortale Kelley one of Tennessee's most enduring law firms.

Dual-City Presence

With offices in both downtown Nashville and Memphis, we are positioned to serve clients across Tennessee and handle matters that extend well beyond state lines.

Recognized by Super Lawyers

Multiple Ortale Kelley attorneys have been named to the Super Lawyers list — an independent recognition of outstanding legal practice based on peer evaluation.

Community Leadership

From our annual Legal Aid Advice Clinic to our Distinguished Partnership Award and active Nashville Bar Association leadership, we invest deeply in our communities.

High-Value Transaction Experience

We have represented clients in transactions valued in the tens of millions of dollars, including complex multi-property commercial real estate acquisitions and large-scale portfolio deals.

The Four Pillars

What Sets
Ortale Kelley
Apart

At Ortale Kelley, you will find a diverse set of attorneys who combine decades of experience with creative legal strategies to bring you innovative representation — with the client relationship at the center of everything we do.

Decades of Proven Experience

Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience and creative legal thinking to every matter — giving clients a decisive strategic advantage in complex, high-stakes cases.

Cost-Effective Representation

We deliver high-quality legal work while actively managing costs. From day one, our attorneys maintain open dialogue about fees so there are never unwelcome surprises.

Responsive & Accessible Attorneys

Clients are kept informed at every stage of their matter. Our commitment to communication means you always know exactly where things stand.

Full-Firm Team Approach

Every client benefits from the collective resources of the entire firm — attorneys, paralegals, and support staff working in concert on your behalf.

Areas of Practice

Comprehensive Legal
Counsel Across
Every Discipline

Commercial Real Estate

One of Nashville's leading legal service providers for commercial real estate lending, development, and complex asset transactions.

Alcoholic Beverage Law

We guide local and national clients through Tennessee's beer and liquor licensing landscape, from single-location permits to multi-state portfolio transitions.

Commercial Litigation

Our litigation team handles complex commercial disputes, civil rights claims, and appellate matters, with a record of successful outcomes at trial and on appeal.

Healthcare Liability

We defend healthcare providers and institutions in liability matters, applying deep industry knowledge to protect practitioners against complex claims.

Governmental Liability

From Section 1983 federal civil rights claims to Fourth Amendment defenses, our team has successfully represented counties, sheriffs, and law enforcement officials.

Employment Law

We provide strategic counsel to employers navigating workplace disputes and employment-related litigation, minimizing exposure and protecting business interests.

Corporate & Business Law

We serve as trusted legal partners for businesses at every stage — advising on formation, transactions, governance, acquisitions, and long-term strategic growth.

Banking, Insurance Defense & More

Our banking and insurance defense practices protect financial institutions and insurers from complex claims, delivering rigorous defense and proactive risk management.

Additional Practice Areas
Appellate Advocacy Mediation Personal Injury Products Liability Professional Liability HOA & Condo Law Workers Compensation Banking Law
50+
Years Serving Tennessee
"Committed to
Clients. Committed
to Results."
About the Firm

A Legacy of
Legal Excellence
Since 1971

Since 1971, Ortale Kelley has stood as one of Tennessee's most trusted and respected law firms. What began as a firm built on principles of client dedication and legal excellence has grown alongside Nashville into a practice known for sophisticated strategy, creative problem-solving, and measurable results. With offices in downtown Nashville and Memphis, we serve clients locally, regionally, and nationally.

Our attorneys bring depth and creativity to every engagement — whether structuring an $80 million commercial real estate transaction, defending complex federal civil rights litigation, or guiding a regional operator through the acquisition and licensing of dozens of locations across two states. We don't take a one-size-fits-all approach; we take a yours approach, pairing broad institutional resources with the personalized attention each matter deserves.

Beyond the courtroom and the boardroom, Ortale Kelley is woven into the fabric of the Nashville legal community. Through our annual Legal Advice Clinic with the Nashville Bar Association and the Legal Aid Society, we demonstrate that great lawyering extends beyond the client relationship — it strengthens the community we call home.

Nashville Office
330 Commerce Street
Suite 110
Nashville, TN 37201
Memphis Office
Memphis,
Tennessee
 
How We Work

Our Process

01
Step 01

Initial Consultation

We start by listening. In your first meeting, we take time to understand your goals, assess your situation, and identify the legal strategies best aligned with your needs.

Step 02

Strategic Planning

Our attorneys build a tailored legal strategy designed to achieve your objectives efficiently — discussing the path forward and anticipated costs openly from the start.

Step 03

Active Representation

Whether in the courtroom, at the negotiating table, or through complex transactional work, we pursue your interests with creativity, tenacity, and the full resources of the firm.

Step 04

Resolution & Ongoing Counsel

We don't simply close a matter and move on. Ortale Kelley builds lasting client relationships, remaining a trusted legal resource long after the immediate issue is resolved.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked
Questions

We offer a broad range of legal services including commercial real estate, alcoholic beverage law, commercial litigation, employment law, healthcare liability, governmental liability, corporate and business law, banking law, insurance defense, workers compensation, personal injury, products liability, professional liability, homeowner's association law, appellate advocacy, and mediation.

Our primary office is in downtown Nashville at 330 Commerce Street, Suite 110, Nashville, TN 37201. We also maintain an office in Memphis, Tennessee, allowing us to serve clients across the state.

We are committed to cost-effective representation. Our attorneys actively manage budgets and maintain open, ongoing dialogue with clients about anticipated costs from the very beginning of representation — so you can make informed decisions throughout your matter.

Our offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. You can also reach us by email at any time and an attorney will follow up promptly.

Yes. While headquartered in Nashville, we regularly represent local and national clients on matters that extend across state lines, including complex commercial transactions, federal litigation, and multi-state licensing matters.

Four core principles define how we practice: experienced representation, cost-consciousness, accessibility, and a full-firm team approach. Combined with more than five decades of history and deep roots in the Nashville and Memphis communities, we offer a level of institutional knowledge and personal commitment that is genuinely difficult to match.

Absolutely. Our alcohol beverage law practice assists both local startups and national operators entering the Tennessee market, guiding clients through state and local licensing requirements efficiently and thoroughly.

Contact our Nashville office by phone at 615.256.9999 or reach out through our website. We will connect you with the right attorney for your specific legal need and schedule a consultation at your convenience.

Take the First Step

Let's Discuss
Your Matter

Whether you're facing complex litigation, a major transaction, or need strategic counsel, Ortale Kelley has the experience and resources to guide you. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

Nashville Office
330 Commerce Street, Suite 110
Nashville, TN 37201
Phone & Fax
615.256.9999
Fax: 615.726.1494
Office Hours
Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM