Jack Waddey is the patriarch of intellectual property law in Tennessee. He was a co-founder of Nashville’s first IP specific boutique firm in the early ‘90’s, but his IP legacy dates back to the late ‘60’s when he entered Georgetown Law School and paid his way through school by working as a patent examiner in the USPTO. He brings 50+ years of experience to the table, having secured hundreds of patents and trademarks for his clients, helping clients with IP strategy to strengthen their businesses, protecting the IP of his clients in litigation, and defending infringement claims against his clients in patent, copyright, and trademark disputes of every nature. Since 1998, he has served as a mediator in helping others to resolve their conflicts. Jack can be contacted directly at 615.481.2481 or via email at jack@waddeyacheson.com.

• Associate at Arent Fox
• Associate/Partner at Willis & Knight
• Partner at Hooker & Waddey
• Partner at Waddey Lundin & Newport
• Founding Partner at Waddey – Patterson
• Partner at Waller Landsen Dortch Davis
• Senior Affiliate Counsel at Holland Knight

• Editor for the Georgetown Law Journal
• Law Clerk for the Honorable Harry Phillips, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit
• Secretary/Treasurer of the Nashville Bar Association
• President/Chairman of several IP Organizations, including:
• The Tennessee Bar Association Section on IP
• The Tennessee Intellectual Property Law Association
• The Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators
• Nashville Entertainment and IP Law Chapter of the American Inns of Court
• Named the 2023 Best Mediator in the US for IP and Sophisticated Legal Disputes by BUSINESS TODAY, the on-line business magazine with the largest circulation in the US
• Named by Chambers & Partners as a Tennessee Senior Counsel for IP
• Named by Chambers & Partners as one of the top 35 Mediators in the United States
• Named a Distinguished Fellow in the International Academy of Mediators, an organization of the top ~200 mediators in the world
• Named as the Auburn University Aerospace Engineering MAN OF THE YEAR for 2024
• A member, by invitation, of the following panels of mediators:
• American Arbitration Association
• International Trademark Law Association
• American Intellectual Property Law Association
• International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR) Dispute Resolution Mediation Panel
• Multiple years of recognition by publications such as:
• Nashville Business Journal Best Lawyers list for IP
• Nashville Post IN CHARGE recognition for leadership in law and business
• BEST LAWYERS magazine recognition for one of Tennessee’s best lawyers in IP and for Mediation
• SUPER LAWYERS Magazine as a leader in the IP law world

Chanelle Acheson is a founding partner at Waddey Acheson. Recognized for her exceptional legal skills and commitment to her clients, she has a wealth of experience representing clients in a broad range of complex litigation matters. Chanelle has represented corporate and individual clients in cases across the litigation and governmental investigation spectrum, including Intellectual Property, entertainment law, state and federal civil enforcement actions, high-stakes contract and fraud claims, anti-kickback allegations, privacy issues, and healthcare fraud and abuse. Chanelle has also been on the leading edge of technology in case and client management, developing a highly secure web-based project management tool for a multi-billion dollar, multi-party client in an ongoing case which allowed the parties to distribute internal workflow and edit documents, provide feedback to the larger group, and execute required voting procedures, all within the highest security parameters. She believes in using technology to work smarter and engineer around human friction whenever possible.

Chanelle graduated from the University of Colorado in 2001 with a BS in Political Science and furthered her studies in International Law at the University of Sussex in Brighton, England. Chanelle earned her Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School in 2004.

Prior to going into private practice, Chanelle served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps from 2005 to 2011.

Representative Clients have included:

• BP
• ExxonMobil
• General Motors
• National Grid
• Texaco
• Phelps Dodge Corporation
• Southeast Financial Credit Union
• Newtown Creek Group
• Channel 5 News
• Her & King’s County
• SB Initiative Inc.
• HCA
• Metro Medical Supply

Justin Shellaway has served as a General Counsel, federal government enforcement attorney, and law firm litigator. This breadth of experience provides him with a well-rounded understanding of legal and business risk. He offers pragmatic, business-savvy advice to optimize corporate compliance according to the needs of each company he serves. He provides strategic guidance on a wide variety of legal, regulatory, and reputational issues that challenge today’s companies. 

Justin established the legal department and served as the first General Counsel for the U.S. subsidiaries of the world’s 6th-largest tire manufacturer, headquartered in Nashville, as it grew its manufacturing presence in the U.S. Prior to moving to Nashville, Justin was a branch chief and attorney in the Office of Enforcement, Division of Investigations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C. There, he investigated and tried the agency’s first enforcement action against market manipulators under new Congressional authority enacted in the wake of the Enron scandal. Previously, Justin represented Fortune 500 companies in commercial and white-collar litigation matters at a large law firm in Washington. Justin began his career with a federal district court clerkship in Dallas, Texas. 

Justin is a Rule 31 trained mediator. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School in 2000 and his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania with Distinction, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa with a minor in mathematics in 1997.

Representative Clients have included:

• Ernst & Young
• Johnson Controls
• A District of Columbia Police Chief

Ed Powell represents clients across the full range of intellectual property and litigation matters.  Ed’s intellectual property litigation and counseling experience spans diverse technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, microelectronics, software, medical devices, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. Ed has successfully defended his clients’ rights in district court litigation, as well as before federal appellate courts and the US Supreme Court, in complex technological and constitutional cases.

Prior to joining the firm, Ed worked for global law firms in Silicon Valley and DC as an associate, specializing in patent litigation and appellate litigation.  Ed graduated from Duke University School of Law magna cum laude and clerked for the Honorable Gerald B. Tjoflat of the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. 

Representative experience includes:

• Valeant v. Mylan (US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit)  – Successfully defended dismissal of claims against Mylan for improper venue in a Hatch-Waxman pharmaceutical patent suit
• Carney v. Adams (US Supreme Court) – Successfully defended Governor of Delaware in challenge to state constitutional provision providing for partisan balance in the judiciary
• Apple Inc. v. Masimo Corp. (D. Del.) – Represented Apple Inc. in patent, antitrust, and false advertising litigation relating to Apple Watch
• NetChoice v. Moody (N.D. Fla) – Successfully sought preliminary injunction on behalf of Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) against Florida law regulating social media platforms
• Mantissa Corp. v. First Financial Corp. (N.D. Ill.) – Successfully represented First Financial Corp. in patent litigation relating to anti-fraud software
• Epistar Inc. v. Lowe’s Home Centers LLC (C. D. Cal.) – Represented Epistar Inc. in patent litigation relating to LED filament bulbs
• PayRange Inc. v. KioSoft Technologies LLC (S. D. Fla.) – Represented PayRange Inc. in patent litigation relating to mobile payments for vending machines
• DJ Lincoln Enterprises, Inc. v. Google LLC (US Court of Appeals for the 11^th Circuit) – Successfully defended Google LLC against civil RICO claims relating to alleged downranking of plaintiff’s website
• Cyntec Co. Ltd. v. Chilisin Electronics Corp. (US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit) – Represented Cyntec in patent litigation relating to microelectronic power chokes
• United States v. Rahimi (US Supreme Court) – Represented US Conference of Catholic Bishops as amicus curiae supporting prevailing party in Second Amendment case
• Kennedy v. Bremerton School District (US Supreme Court) – Represented Kirk Cousins, Nick Foles, and other NFL players as amici curiae supporting prevailing party in First Amendment case
• National Pork Providers Council v. Ross (US Supreme Court) – Represented US Chamber of Commerce as amicus curiae in Dormant Commerce Clause case

Khira served 12 years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps as a Legal Service Specialist.

During her military career, Khira was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, California, Camp Foster in Okinawa, Japan, Camp Pendleton, California, and Parris Island, South Carolina. While aboard MCRD Parris Island, she served with Chanelle (then Captain Johnson) in multiple roles including Military Justice, Family Law, and leadership roles within the Company and Battalion. (Editor’s Note: Chanelle is thrilled to have Khira on board in this new capacity!)

After leaving the Military in 2013, she moved to Huntsville, Alabama, and her federal civil service career began in 2018 where she served as a Legal Assistant in the Civil Division for the United States Attorney, District of Kansas. She was offered a position as a Department of Army Civilian with the United States Army Reserve in Puerto Rico, where she served as the Secretary, Executive Assistant and Command Protocol Officer for the Commanding General, 1st Mission Support Command from September 2020 to May 2024.

Khira possesses a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a Master’s Degree in Justice. She is also a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.

Her Military and Civilian awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a Gold Star, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, multiple Certificates of Commendation and Appreciation, Meritorious Mast, Civilian Service Commendation Medals, Civilian Service Achievement Medal, Certificate of Achievement and performance awards for exceptional duty performance.

Mrs. Chavez is married to Payton Dugas and has 2 children, Craig Jr. (18) and Ava (15).

Jessica is a seasoned paralegal who has been working in the legal field since 2007. She has amassed extensive experience in multiple areas of law, including complex litigation, tax law, healthcare law, and medical malpractice. With a strong background in case and document management, eDiscovery, and overseeing large-scale cases, Jessica is a valuable asset to our legal team.

Jessica has acquired significant trial experience in both state and federal courts, and is familiar with the intricacies of the legal process. She is a graduate of the Sewanee: The University of the South, where she graduated with Honors.

In addition to her legal achievements, Jessica is also an accomplished artist and painter. This unique blend of creativity and analytical acumen makes her a well-rounded professional who brings a unique perspective to her work.

Max is an alumnus of Mississippi State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Criminology with a minor in Pre-Law. A native of Nashville, Max has dedicated much of his life to the Davidson County area, driven by his ambition to attend law school.

Within our firm, Max serves as our versatile young professional, adeptly managing a wide range of responsibilities. As Waddey Acheson’s Legal Operations Coordinator, Max is immersed in the intricacies of legal practice, diligently observing and learning what it takes to excel not only as a lawyer but also in building a firm from its foundational stages.