Celebrating 40 Years of Legal Excellence
NAME:
EMAIL:
EDUCATION:
East Tennessee State University, B.S., 2012
Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law, J.D., 2015
BAR MEMBERSHIPS:
State of Georgia
State of Tennessee
PRACTICE AREAS:
Business Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Liability Defense
Caitlin Colley is an Of Counsel with the Firm’s Litigation Department, focusing on complex business disputes and risk management for commercial businesses and the hospitality industry.
Ms. Colley's legal experience spans more than nine years, during which time she served as a judicial law clerk, in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG), and as a civil litigator in big law. In her practice, Ms. Colley defends hospitality brands in civil litigation and advises industry leaders as outside counsel - providing comprehensive, practical business solutions and risk assessments throughout stages of litigation and business operations.
Ms. Colley supports clients through preventative risk management across general liability, premises liability, and compliance matters. With a strong investigatory and trial evidence background, she is skilled in drafting trial pleadings, pre-trial evidentiary and legal arguments, determining pre-trial strategies, directing voir dire, and preparing experts for trial. Her experience also includes assisting clients with developing procedures for data privacy and information security risk management, and responding to data breaches, incidents, and related litigation. With a background in regulatory and litigation matters, she provides a unique, dual perspective to clients.
Previously, as an active-duty JAG trial attorney and officer, Ms. Colley gained lead counsel experience in more than 70 investigations across multiple federal, state, and defense agencies. She coordinated legal actions among more than 50 commanders while supervising ongoing investigations and litigation, becoming a trusted advisor and go-to for commanders. Ms. Colley also advised senior leaders and clients on international law, The Hague Conventions, and administrative law matters of ethics, government investigations, property, and fiscal law. Ms. Colley maintains an active U.S. Security Clearance, ensuring her access to critical information on behalf of clients.
Ms. Colley's prior civil litigation experience includes advising clients and businesses on matters including complex litigation suits, wrongful death actions, subrogation, and declaratory actions across multiple national insurance carriers. She successfully defended major hospitality industry corporations, insured private businesses, municipalities, and governmental entities before state and federal trial courts.
After receiving her Juris Doctorate in 2015, Ms. Colley served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable David M. Bragg in the 16th Judicial District of Tennessee.
As a veteran, Ms. Colley now works with a number of non-profits that provide support to combat veterans and their family members.