Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C. is pleased to announce shareholder John Jackson is the litigation and risk management practice group’s new section chair and shareholder Andrew “Andy” Leffleris the new section chair for the firm’s real estate practice group.
“We are confident in John and Andy’s ability to lead their respective practice groups to new heights,” said President and Managing Shareholder Steve Barham. “John’s strategic approach to litigation and Andy’s deep experience in real estate will drive growth and enhance our ability to serve clients. Both bring strong leadership and a commitment to fostering collaboration, and we look forward to seeing how they will continue to move our firm forward.”
Jackson takes over as the litigation and risk management practice group’s section chair after most recently serving on Chambliss’ Executive Committee. He follows Steve Barham, who previously served as section chair and is now serving as Chambliss’s president and managing shareholder. John’s extensive litigation experience spans industries from heavy machinery to health care to food products, and includes handling matters involving technologies such as plastics, sporting goods, and hazardous waste containment. With over 35 years of legal experience, he focuses on commercial and intellectual property litigation and mediation. Jackson has successfully prosecuted and defended claims involving patent, trademark, and copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, products liability, and a variety of commercial disputes in numerous jurisdictions.
In addition to his litigation practice, Jackson is an active member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association and the American Inns of the Court, Brock-Cooper Chapter. He serves as president of the board of Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, and is certified as a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 General Civil Mediator.
Jackson has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for advertising law and intellectual property litigation. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, a member of the State Bar of Georgia, and a member of the Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, and American Bar Associations. Jackson is also involved in the Intellectual Property Law Sections of both the Tennessee and American Bar Associations. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga before graduating from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Jackson is licensed to practice in Tennessee and Georgia.
Leffler follows shareholder Kirby Yost, who previously served as section chair and is now serving on Chambliss’ Executive Committee. He represents a diverse range of regional and national real estate development and finance clients, advising them on every side of transactions, whether as sellers, buyers, lenders, landlords, tenants, or investors. Leffler’s practice spans all aspects of real estate deals, from assisting developers with initial land underwriting and navigating the construction loan process, to structuring and drafting joint venture agreements. He also provides counsel on easements, owners association issues, financial workouts, and partnership agreements, with experience in opportunity zones and 1031 exchanges.
Leffler’s clients are located across the Southeast and Texas, and he regularly works with a variety of real estate classes, including multifamily complexes, medical offices, retail, restaurants, and warehouses. He has been involved in several high-profile transactions, including representing a regional bank in the reissuance of a $34 million construction loan following a total casualty and advising a large regional multifamily complex owner and developer on the formation of a $100 million real estate fund. Before joining Chambliss, Leffler practiced in New York and New Jersey, focusing on real estate debt financing and gaining significant experience in foreclosure and security enforcement proceedings.
Leffler serves on the board for the Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise and is a member of the Chattanooga and Tennessee Bar Associations. He is a former member of the Land Use and Zoning Committee for the New York City Bar Association and previously served on the board of the North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy. Leffler graduated summa cum laude with honors from the University of the South before graduating magna cum laude from Pace University School of Law. He is licensed to practice in Tennessee, New York, and New Jersey.
