Municipalities and Government Entities

Serving municipalities and government entities requires knowledge of the law and its practical application, as well as a hands-on understanding of the unique challenges faced by these organizations.  GSRM Law represents the rights of local and state governmental agencies on a host of challenges that arise daily.  Our attorneys have successfully defended government entities against single plaintiff, class action and mass tort litigation involving civil rights claims, personal injuries, road hazards and environmental torts.  Our municipality and government lawyers in Nashville defend personal injury and property damage suits pertaining to:

• Road design and public access
• Negligent performance of contracts
• Intentional torts
• Assault, battery and false arrest
• Constitutional torts
• Employment and discrimination
• Dangerous conditions of public property
• Violations of ministerial obligation
• Failure to discharge mandatory duties
• Injuries caused by tortious conduct of independent contractors
• Taking of property
• Inverse condemnation

GSRM Law attorneys provide defense counsel pertaining to civil rights claims.  The Federal Civil Rights Act has become a statute often used by plaintiffs to bring a variety of claims against government entities, their officials and employees.  Because there is no cap on damages and attorney’s fees can be awarded in the event of a plaintiff verdict, these claims can create serious financial consequences for municipalities.  In addition, if a jury finds that a public official or employee knowingly and malevolently violated a plaintiff’s civil rights, this individual, elected or staff person, could be personally sued for punitive damages.  The municipal and government lawyers at Nashville’s GSRM Law vigorously defend clients on civil rights claims in state, federal and appellate courts regarding such diverse issues as:

• Section 1983 actions
• Police misconduct
• Excessive use of force actions
• Wrongful death
• False arrest actions
• Malicious prosecution actions
• Failure to train actions
• Inadequate due process
• Violations of equal protection
• Prisoner grievances
• Employment discrimination

In the area of commercial and real estate litigation, GSRM Law advocates the rights of municipalities and governmental agencies both inside and outside of court.  Our attorneys have represented clients before state and federal administrative agencies, as well as in arbitration and mediation.  GSRM Law attorneys have defended and prosecuted a variety of commercial, real estate and construction law claims, a sampling of which includes disputes pertaining to:

• Contracts, ownership and liability
• Purchase/sale disputes
• Property line/encroachment issues
• Foreclosures and receiverships
• Insolvency issues
• Insurance coverage
• Construction
• Contractor and subcontractor claims
• Environmental and land use
• Zoning and planning
• Eminent domain
• Inverse condemnation
• Regulatory takings
• Public works

Government and municipal organizations are comprised of people, so labor and employment law compliance and human resources best practices are critical to operational success.  GSRM Law’s Labor and Employment practice experience ranges from the creation of sound employee policies and procedures designed to mitigate potential disputes, to the defense of major, complex class action lawsuits.  Because employment claims can take many forms, ranging from discrimination, to breach of contract, to wage and hour claims, our Nashville municipal and government lawyers offer innovative ways to apply solutions and to avoid the unwanted negative press often associated with these types of claims.