MCE LAW - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Attorney at Law / Associate Attorney
• Member of the Rutherford

Tony Cain joined McCarter | East, PLLC as an Associate Attorney in June of 2019. Tony grew up in Cannon County, Tennessee. After graduating from Cannon County High School, he enlisted in the United State Marine Corps where he served 4 years of active duty and 4 years of reserve duty. During his time in the Marine Corps, he was deployed to various locations throughout the world, including a combat tour to Iraq. For his service, Tony was awarded several medals and ribbons, and he was honorably discharged in 2008. Tony credits his service in the Marine Corps for his tremendous work ethic and discipline. He is accredited by the Department of Veteran's Affairs to represent and assist veterans in submitting VA disability claims. After discharge from active duty, Tony worked as a railroad conductor for a Class I railroad. While in this capacity, he supervised the safe movement and security of trains. He was also an active member in the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART) Union where he participated in numerous disciplinary hearings. This experience gives him a unique perspective in solving labor and management disputes. After working in the railroad industry for several years, Tony decided to follow a lifelong dream and attend law school. He enrolled in the Nashville School of Law. During his third year of law school, he interned at the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee, where he assisted the office in the prosecution of federal criminal cases and representing the United States in civil cases. During his fourth year of law school, Tony was awarded John B. Downey, Jr. scholarship. He was also a member of the Harry Phillips American Inn of Court. Prior to joining McCarter | East, PLLC, Tony worked as the Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Royce Taylor of the Circuit Court of Rutherford and Cannon County, Part IV. During this time, he was able to gain experience working in the Circuit Court and routinely participated in jury trials of serious felony crimes and bench trials of various civil matters. Currently, Tony maintains a diverse civil litigation practice where he represents clients throughout Middle Tennessee in General Sessions, Circuit, Chancery, and Juvenile Court matters such as divorce, child custody, contract disputes, real property disputes, probate, and personal injury. He has tried cases throughout Middle Tennessee and is known for his thorough preparation and attention to detail. Additionally, Tony represents several local businesses and financial institutions. Tony also maintains a criminal law practice where he is known for his tenacity and zealous representation of his clients. He has represented clients accused of various crimes ranging from minor misdemeanors to murder. Tony is an active member of the Rutherford and Cannon County Bar Association, Disabled American Veterans, and American Legion Post 279. He is admitted to practice law in all Tennessee state courts and U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Tony is married to Stephanie Cain, and they have three (3) children. They attend The Experience Community Church of Cannon County. In his free time, Tony enjoys coaching basketball, reading, hunting, cooking, playing guitar, volunteering in the community and spending time outdoors with his family. He is also a diehard Indiana Hoosiers fan and routinely attends basketball and football games.

Job Titles:

• Attorney at Law
• Partner
• Legal Assistant to Partner Benjamin Lewis
• Member of the Tennessee / Rutherford / Cannon County Bar Associations and a Graduate of the Leadership Rutherford

Ben joined McCarter East PLLC in January 2017 as an associate attorney and became a partner in February 2022. Although not originally from Middle Tennessee, he has developed a passion and love for Murfreesboro and the surrounding area. Originally from Paris, Kentucky, a small town near Lexington, Ben attended Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama for his undergraduate degree. He met his wife, Caroline, at Samford. She was born and raised in Murfreesboro, and they returned to her hometown to start and raise their family. After graduating from Samford in May 2013, Ben attended the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. During law school, he served on the Editorial Board of the University of Memphis Law Review as Senior Articles Editor, and his Note was chosen for publication in Volume 46 of the Law Review. He also received various accolades for his pro bono and classroom work, including the CALI Award for the top grade in Criminal Law, Administrative Law, and Food & Drug Law. Ben gained experience while in law school as an intern for the Honorable J. Steven Stafford of the Tennessee Court of Appeals and extern for the Honorable Sheryl H. Lipman of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. He also served throughout law school as a Graduate Research Assistant for Professor Eugene Shapiro, who primarily focused his research in the areas of constitutional law and criminal procedure. Ben is an active member of the Tennessee/Rutherford/Cannon County Bar Associations and a graduate of the Leadership Rutherford program, class of 2020. He is admitted to practice law in all Tennessee states courts and both the U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Eastern Districts of Tennessee.

Job Titles:

• Legal Assistant / Legal Assistant to Anthony Cain and Russell Nixon

Bree was originally born in Panorama City, California but has grown up in here in Murfreesboro. She graduated from The University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2019 with a Bachelor's in both Psychology and Sociology with a concentration in Criminology. During her four years at UT Knoxville, she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and served on their executive council as the Historian as well as a member of The National Society of Leadership and Success. Outside of work, Bree enjoys spending time outdoors with her friends and family as well as her dog, Lotus. She also enjoys attending music festivals and traveling.

Job Titles:

• Staff Member

Job Titles:

• Legal Assistant / Assistant to Partner Benjamin Lewis
• Legal Assistant to Partner Benjamin Lewis

Emily Mitchell joined McCarter | East PLLC in 2021 and serves as the legal assistant to partner Benjamin Lewis. Emily is originally from Fort Myers, Florida, but has lived in Middle Tennessee for the last five years. She graduated from Cumberland University in 2019 with a Bachelors in Criminal Justice and Public Administration. During her four years at Cumberland University, she was a member of the Cumberland Women's Soccer team. She is now earning her J.D. degree at Nashville School of Law. Emily hopes to practice law in the future.

Job Titles:

• Staff Member

Job Titles:

• Staff Member

Job Titles:

• Attorney at Law
• Founding Partner
• Founding Partner of McCarter
• Member of the Tennessee Bar Association

Bert McCarter is a founding partner of McCarter | East PLLC, which was established in July 2009. Bert graduated cum laude from the University of Tennessee in December 1996. While at the University of Tennessee Bert was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Prior to his time at the University of Tennessee, Bert attended the University of Tennessee Martin and Aquinas College where he played basketball until 1994. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Bert attended law school at the University of Dayton from 1997-1999. While at Dayton, he was on the prestigious Walter Rice Moot Court team. Bert transferred to Vanderbilt University and graduated from law school there in 2000. After graduating from law school, Bert served as law clerk for the Honorable Judge Don R. Ash of the Circuit Court for Rutherford County in 2000. In 2001, Bert joined the firm that would come to be known as Dotson, Dotson & McCarter in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He remained there until 2009 when he went on to become a founding member of McCarter | East PLLC. Bert began his practice of law focusing on the areas of domestic relations (i.e. divorce, custody, post-divorce, etc.), criminal defense, and personal injury. Bert has argued multiple times before the Court of Appeals and Criminal Court of Appeals. He has represented several individuals and businesses, both in the prosecution and defense of contractual litigation and personal injury issues. He has also worked on several high-profile domestic and criminal cases, achieving a track record of consistent results that work to the overall benefit of his clients. In addition to his position on the Judicial Nominating Commission, Bert is an active member of the Tennessee Bar Association and the Rutherford/Cannon County Bar Associations. He has also assisted as a local businessman offering services for the development of gross motor skills, founded the 100 Club of Rutherford County, and serves on the Board of Directors and on the Advisory Council for CB&S Bank.

Job Titles:

• Attorney at Law / Associate Attorney

Halle attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville for both her undergraduate and legal education. She graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law Cum Laude. While in law school Halle earned a concentration in Advocacy and Dispute Resolution by taking everything from traditional trial practice courses to ones in advanced appellate advocacy. She earned multiple CALI awards all while serving on the board for both the Pro Bono and Environmental Law Organizations. Halle also volunteered in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Clinic at the College of Law. In addition, Halle worked at Babalu Tacos and Tapas during her legal education as both a waitress and a hostess. Today, Halle does not limit her practice to any one area of law but litigates all types of cases. Halle enjoys litigating because it allows her to showcase her writing and advocacy skills she has cultivated over the years of her legal education and during her time working in the College of Law's legal clinic. Halle is interested in health and fitness, enjoys cooking, and is passionate about spending as much time outdoors as possible. She is an alumna of the sorority Alpha Chi Omega. Halle is originally from the Memphis area but recently moved to Murfreesboro near her family and enjoys getting to spend time with them frequently. You can find Halle wearing orange and cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers every Saturday during football season! Education University of Tennessee in Knoxville University of Tennessee College of Law - Cum Laude

Job Titles:

• Staff Member

Job Titles:

• Chief Financial Officer

After obtaining her Associates Degree in Secretarial Sciences, Karen began her career as a legal assistant at a labor law firm in Greenville, South Carolina in 1982 and has thoroughly enjoyed the time she has spent in the legal field since then. She came out of retirement in 2018 to work at McCarter|East, PLLC and is currently the firm's Chief Financial Officer. She was born and raised in New Jersey, but relocated with her family as a junior in high school to Aiken, South Carolina, where she met her high school sweetheart, Kent, and they have now been married for forty years and counting! They have two children, Kirstin and Rick, and six grandchildren. When she is not working, Karen enjoys cheering on her Clemson Tigers, going to the theater, playing with her grandkids, and loving on her German Shephard, Lucy. She also likes to paint, write, and sew.

Job Titles:

• Attorney at Law / Associate Attorney

Although originally from Clemson, SC, and a Clemson Tiger at heart, Kirstin is proud to call Middle Tennessee home. Kirstin moved to Tennessee with her family at a young age and later attended Middle Tennessee State University, graduating cum laude in May 2008 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration on Marketing and Promotions. After her graduation from MTSU, Kirstin continued working in the marketing industry for almost 3 years before attending law school at the Mississippi College School of Law in 2011. While in law school, Kirstin was a member of Moot Court and served as the Public Relations Chair on the Moot Court Board. In 2012, she was a quarter finalist in the 2012 Closing Statement Competition, and an octo finalist in the 2012 Copeland Cook Taylor & Bush Appellate Advocacy Competition. She also served as Team Captain for the 2013 Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition Team. Additionally, Kirstin received the AMJUR Award for receiving the top grade in Criminal Law, Appellate Advocacy, and Pretrial. She was awarded a MC Law Academic Scholarship, Marie Upton Scholarship, MS Bar Family Law Scholarship, and the John B. Farese Memorial Trial Advocate Award. While in law school, Kirstin spent time working alongside professors, judges, and local Mississippi attorneys. She worked as a Legal Research Assistant and a Teacher's Assistant in Criminal Law for Professor Matthew Steffey, a Legal Research Fellow in the Law Library of MC Law, and a Legal Volunteer at the Mission First Legal Aid Office in Jackson, Mississippi. She was also a Law Clerk for McNinch Law Office, PLLC in Brandon, Mississippi. Kirstin was also a Student Attorney admitted to limited practice in Mississippi for the Adoption Legal Clinic at MC Law. During her last semester of law school, Kirstin served as a Student Attorney admitted to the limited practice of law in Tennessee, working at the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. She also served as a Legal Extern for Chancellor Robert E. Corlew, III in the Rutherford County Chancery Court. Kirstin graduated magna cum ladue with her Juris Doctor in May 2014. Following graduation and becoming licensed to practice law, she worked as an Associate Attorney for Pentecost, Glenn, Mauldin & York, PLLC in Jackson, Tennessee. Kirstin is married to her husband, Corey Harper, and they have two children. She and Corey are members of World Outreach Church. Outside of work, Kirstin enjoys spending time with her family. She loves to read, sail, and participate in local community theatre. She also roots hard for her beloved Clemson Tigers.

Job Titles:

• Assistant to Attorney Eric Burch
• Legal Assistant / Legal Assistant to Partner Eric Burch

Lisa Scheffler is the legal assistant to attorney Eric Burch and is excited to be a part of the firm's expansion into Southern Middle Tennessee at our Manchester location at 200 South Woodland Street. Lisa has been the legal assistant to Eric Burch for the past 10 years, and has worked as a legal assistant for 39 years. Lisa has resided in Manchester, Coffee County, Tennessee, since 1998. During her time away from the office, she enjoys relaxing by the pool or a warm fire and spending time with her family.

Job Titles:

• Attorney at Law

Mike joined the Army right out of High School, serving 4 years in the Infantry. Honorably discharged, Mike enrolled at the University of Tennessee in 1992. There he would attend college while working full time, and as a Cavalry Scout in the TN National Guard. He graduated with a BS in Logistics from UT Knoxville in 2000. His first Logistics position brought him to the middle TN area, where Mike advanced in his career through different logistics roles at Ryder Integrated and then AO Smith. Around the 7 year mark, he started attending Nashville School of Law at night, and became a bar member in 2011. Over the course of his career in Logistics, Mike was considered a subject matter expert on cargo claims, and Driver/DOT compliance at multiple organizations. As the Corporate Warranty/Product Liability Manager for Cleaver Brooks, he handled contract negotiations, enforcement, mediations, and coordination with local outside counsel to settle claims, across the US and Canada. Mike has held a Rule 31 Civil Mediator certification, and he has also filed multiple Trademarks for organizations, protecting their reputation and brand. After 24 years spent in the corporate world, Mike has decided it is time to change paths, fully dedicating this next chapter to the practice of law. Mike also enjoys woodworking, target shooting, deep sea fishing, hanging with his grandkids, and going to the beach with his wife.

Job Titles:

• Receptionist

Nancy Walters is originally from West Memphis, Arkansas but is a long-time resident of Murfreesboro. She has three children and seven wonderful grandchildren that are her pride and joy. She is a member of New Vision Baptist Church and in her spare time she enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and spending time with her family.

Job Titles:

• Attorney at Law / Associate Attorney

Russell joined the firm in 2018 after practicing in Murfreesboro for six years. His practice is focused primarily on criminal defense where he has earned a reputation as a fierce advocate for his clients. Russell's unwavering commitment to the rights of the accused makes him one of our best attorneys. He has successfully represented several high-profile clients charged with murder, rape, illegal drug distribution, armed robbery, and white collar crimes. Russell has argued multiple times before the Court of Criminal Appeals. Russell also maintains a successful civil practice where he specializes in contract disputes, homeowners association disputes, and debt collections. He currently holds the record for the largest single bank levy (approximately $44,000.00) through the Rutherford County General Sessions court. His largest client manages over 500 properties in the Middle Tennessee area. Russell is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and the Nashville School of Law. As a lifelong resident of Middle Tennessee he understands the unique challenges our community faces. He also believes the people of Middle Tennessee are some of the most genuine and hard-working people in our country. Russell views his representation of the families in our community as a privilege. Sit down with Russell and you will quickly see his enthusiasm and dedication to his craft. When he isn't at the office, Russell prefers to spend time with his family. They enjoy golfing, vacationing, listening to and playing music, and cheering on the MTSU Blue Raiders.