Ames Davis

Ames Davis is a partner in Waller Lansden's Dispute Resolution Group. Mr. Davis has substantial experience in litigating major commercial disputes involving issues of federal and state securities, antitrust and healthcare regulation, and has been lead counsel for one or more parties in numerous federal and state class action lawsuits. For his work in commercial litigation, Mr. Davis has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward White, Inc.) for his work in commercial litigation for more than 20 years. He is also recognized in America's Leading Lawyers for Business (Chambers & Partners).

In addition to securities law related actions, Mr. Davis has litigated many other cases in which published and unpublished opinions have been issued. In addition, Mr. Davis has represented clients in enforcement proceedings before the United States Securities and Exchange Commission; the Securities Division of the Tennessee Department of Commerce; the New York Stock Exchange; and the NASD.

Mr. Davis has tried a number of jury and bench trials involving claims under federal and state securities laws and has acted as lead counsel for various parties in securities litigation in the United States District Courts for the Middle, Eastern, and Western Districts of Tennessee; the Southern District of New York; the Northern District of Alabama; the Northern District of Mississippi; the Eastern District of Kentucky; the Northern District of Georgia; the District of Massachusetts; and a number of Tennessee state courts.

Prior to joining Waller Lansden, Mr. Davis served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Mr. Davis also served as Chief Justice of The Tennessee Special Supreme Court to which he was appointed to consider appeals relative to the constitutionality of Tennessee's statutes authorizing retention elections for appellate judges.

Education

• J.D., Vanderbilt University, 1969
• B.A., with honors, Amherst College, 1966

Clerkships and Previous Affiliations

• Assistant United States Attorney, Middle District of Tennessee, 1969-1972

Professional Activities

• Chairman, Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, PLLC, 1995-2003
• Member, Nashville, Tennessee and American Bar Associations
• Founder and Fellow, Tennessee Supreme Court Historical Society
• Fellow, Tennessee Bar Foundation
• Fellow, Nashville Bar Foundation
• Former Chief Justice, The Tennessee Special Supreme Court
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward White Inc.) since 1990
• Listed in Chambers USA's America's Leading Lawyers for Business (Chambers & Partners)
  

Civic and Other Activities

• Former lecturer in the Economics and Business Administration Department, Vanderbilt University
• Past Member, joint government/education task force of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce for improvement of the Metropolitan School System
• Former Member, Alumni Board of Vanderbilt University School of Law
• Founder and Former Board Member, Matthew 25, Inc., which affords shelter to employed homeless persons in the Nashville area
• Former Davidson County Election Commissioner
• Past Senior Warden, Christ Episcopal Church in Nashville

Professional Licenses

• Tennessee

Professional Admissions

• United States Supreme Court
• United States Court of Appeals for the First, Second, Fifth and Sixth Circuits
• United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee