At Bass, Berry & Sims, everyone’s contribution is a highly valued part of the firm’s success. We stand apart because we all respect the contributions that our people make to the firm. We create an inclusive environment where everyone can do complex work and give their all while being themselves, irrespective of role or background. Leaving a legacy for future generations matters to us, so we always go above and beyond to exceed expectations.
Our Core Attributes
COLLABORATIVE
We are open, accessible and help each other to thrive by working together. We collaborate, work hard and empower our people to shape a career that works for them. We are compassionate and do the right thing for our team, our clients and our communities.
AGILE
We solve complex challenges in an agile and innovative way. Our clients have ever-changing needs, so we have to be entrepreneurial, adaptive and decisive while solving their legal issues.
TENACIOUS
We are curious and driven to acquire knowledge and develop as professionals. Our tenacity enables us to solve problems, ask questions and challenge each other. We are open and direct.
“In this age of consolidation in the legal market and the quest to become larger, we remain committed to being as large as our clients need us to be, committed to being an extraordinary law firm that delivers value and results to our clients.”
TODD ROLAPP
MANAGING PARTNER
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING
LITIGATION: GENERAL COMMERCIAL PRACTICE PROFILE
Chambers USA 2024
"Bass, Berry & Sims' ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters is unparalleled. The firm has been able to meet every one of our needs with its talented counsel."
LABOR & EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE PROFILE
Chambers USA 2024
"Bass, Berry & Sims produces high-quality and timely work on complex and sophisticated matters. Its team is knowledgeable and responsive, and provides holistic legal advice."
INTERNATIONAL TRADE PRACTICE PROFILE
Chambers USA 2024
"Bass Berry’s service is excellent. They are technically sound, pragmatic and prompt."
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS PRACTICE PROFILE
Chambers USA 2023
"Bass Berry provides a first-rate service … They provide practical, operational advice. Their advice is excellent, even when dealing with novel issues."
BANKING & FINANCE PRACTICE PROFILE
Chambers USA 2022
"The breadth of transactions that they have assisted with is extensive, and their knowledge base has been deep in all of those transactions."
REAL ESTATE PRACTICE PROFILE
Chambers USA 2021
"They are very good at dealing with complexity and they don't skip a beat, so as a result they are really trusted advisers."
BANKRUPTCY/ RESTRUCTURING PRACTICE PROFILE
CHAMBERS USA 2021
“A source praises the firm for its ‘very talented lawyers,’ and adds that it is ‘as good as any firm I have worked with nationally.’”
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PRACTICE PROFILE
CHAMBERS USA 2020
“The firm gives good value and they are very good lawyers. They have both experience and expertise.”
CORPORATE/M&A PRACTICE PROFILE
CHAMBERS USA 2019
“The firm is one of the best I have worked with in my entire career. Their technical expertise and ability to communicate some extremely complicated things is outstanding.”
HEALTHCARE PRACTICE PROFILE
Chambers USA 2018
“They are our go-to firm for pretty much anything. Their responsiveness and customer service is absolutely excellent, the best I have worked with. I have them on speed dial.”
ENVIRONMENT PRACTICE PROFILE
Chambers USA 2016
“Excellent, one of the best in the country.”
OUR COMMITMENT TO...
PRO BONO WORK
Public service is part of who we are as a firm. We are committed to pursing systemic change to eradicate the root causes of legal, social, and economic inequalities.
Fairness. Equal Opportunity. Responsibility. Guided by strong commitments to these three principles, we are building and sustaining a firm and culture that is inclusive and diverse.
In the early days, our founders developed a reputation for excellence; F.M. Bass, Frank Berry and Cecil Sims were fastidious, intellectually curious and highly sought after. They pioneered our now robust mergers and acquisitions practice by participating in notable transactions. A few years later, Cecil Sims initiated one of the firm’s first alternative fee arrangements, which lasted from 1934 until the late 1960’s.
Over 100 years after its inception, Bass, Berry & Sims continues to lead clients through increasingly complex legal challenges. Our highly skilled attorney teams aim to provide a profound understanding of our clients’ businesses and perspective, sound judgment, efficiency and responsiveness to every matter. We advance opportunities and deliver results.
Our Awards
Diversity Lab
Mansfield Certification 2023-2024
Firm earned Mansfield Certification 2023-2024, recognizing firms that are dedicated to promoting an inclusive and equitable workplace
Nine practices ranked #1 for Tennessee; three practices ranked in Nationwide categories; one practice ranked in the District of Columbia in Chambers USA 2024
Deals win "Private Equity Deal of the Year (Between $250MM-$1B)" and "M&A Deal of the Year (Between $1B-$5B)" categories in The M&A Advisor Awards 2023
