Paul E. Tennison

Paul E. Tennison

  • Military Law, Family Law, Divorce ...
  • Tennessee
Badges
Q&ASocial MediaResponsive Law
Biography

Paul E. Tennison was selected as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Nashville by MyNashville Magazine readers in July, 2020.

Paul E. Tennison has significant experience in the U.S. Army and international experience. Paul's legal background affords him unique inside into many issues confronting his clients. Paul represents clients in a broad range of complex legal matters. Paul has experience working in cases involving military law, defamation, intellectual property, family law, contested divorces, immigration, business disputes, wills, trusts, and probate.

Paul's extensive military experience includes four years at West Point, five years on Active Duty in Korea and Germany and five years as an officer in the Tennessee Army National Guard including a deployment to Poland. Paul honed his attention to detail and leadership skills during exercises overseas in highly stressful training environments as a Field Artillery officer. Providing accurate lethal fires on the battlefield is a difficult mission. Paul brings these same attention to detail and problem-solving skills he honed in the U.S. Army to his work with clients.

Paul takes great pride in achieving every challenging goal he sets for himself as evident by his successful completion of West Point, distinguished service in the US Army, success at Vanderbilt Law School, and continued drive to learn more about the world and how to serve his client’s. Paul enjoys challenging physical activity. Paul was a three sport athlete in high school and has continued to enjoy sports and fitness. Recently, Paul has completed a 100KM bike ride, Olympic distance triathlon, marathon, and is currently a bodybuilder and member of the 1,000 lb club. Paul brings the same tenacity to the court room in pursuit of vigorous representation of each of his clients.

Paul is an accredited attorney for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for veterans' benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Practice Areas
    Military Law
    Veteran's Benefits
    Family Law
    Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
    Divorce
    Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
    Business Law
    Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
    Estate Planning
    Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
    Intellectual Property
    Health Care Law
    Appeals & Appellate
    Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals
    Probate
    Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
    Employment Law
    Employee Benefits, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, ERISA, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination
Additional Practice Area
  • Defamation
Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • Contingent Fees
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Tennessee
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Languages
  • English
Professional Experience
Major
Tennessee Army National Guard
- Current
Field Artillery Officer
U.S. Army
-
Program Manager (Fire Direction) 2014-2015 Human Resources Manager 2013-2014; Element Executive 2012-2013; Project Manager (Fire Support) 2010-2012
Education
Vanderbilt University Law School
J.D.
Vanderbilt University Law School Logo
United States Military Academy
B.S.
United States Military Academy Logo
Awards
Nashville's Top 100 Lawyers
MyNashville Magazine
Paul E. Tennison was selected as one of the top 100 lawyers in Nashville by readers of MyNashville Magazine in July, 2020.
Tennessee National Guard Commendation Medal
Tennessee Army National Guard
Paul was awarded the Tennessee National Guard Commendation Medal due to his efforts in leading B BTRY, RFS, 278ACR, TNARNG during a deployment to Poland from July 2019-January 2020.
Professional Associations
Nashville Bar Association
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
American Bar Association
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
National Guard Association of Tennessee
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Nashville Bar Association, Veterans Committee
Chair
-
Activities: Offers the opportunity to meet new veteran friends in the Nashville bar, share experiences, and to serve other less fortunate veterans in the community.
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Speaking Engagements
Military Records Corrections and Discharge Upgrades, Nashville Bar Association CLE, https://www.nashvillebar.org/?pg=events&evAction=showDetail&eID=88253
Nashville Bar Association
This seminar will provide an overview of the law regarding US military records corrections and discharge upgrades. This will include a discussion of common military records, discharge categories, discharge review boards, boards of correction of military/naval records, the process to request records corrections, how to apply for a discharge upgrade, and resources to consult when working with veterans. https://www.nashvillebar.org/?pg=events&evAction=showDetail&eID=88253
Certifications
Accredited Attorney for the Preparation, Presentation, and Prosecution of Claims for Veterans' Benefits
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Legal Answers
138 Questions Answered
Q. Do I have any paternal rights to my daughter if my name is on her birth certificate, if I am court ordered to pay child
A: File a Petition to Establish Paternity in the County you/the Mother live in. As your name is already on the birth certificate, you should be able to get parenting time through a parenting plan without having to do a DNA test. If you have additional questions, I recommend you speak with a family law attorney in your county. Good luck!
Q. “ Notice of unavailability of counsel” from spouses attorney just three days before hearing. I requested this hearing.
A: You may consult with a local family law attorney and see if there is anything else that can be done. In general an attorney filing a notice of unavailability will result in the hearing being continued until the next available date. This sounds like your divorce has been dragged out. If there are no minor children, getting it finalized 60 days after filing is possible. If you and your spouse agreed on everything already then retaining your own attorney may not be necessary. If you are unsure about important issues in the divorce such as how to equitably divide the martial property, parenting plan, custody, and child support if there are minor children, alimony, etc. then I recommend you immediately consult with an attorney. Good luck. ... Read More
Q. I have had my 2 grandchildren in my care for 9 years. Both parents walked out on them. Can I get custody? Please help me
A: I recommend you consult with an experienced family law attorney near you. You may file a Petition for custody or something similar to get this issue in front of a Judge to decide. With the parents criminal history and your history caring for the children, the best interest of the child analysis in Tennessee may favor you securing custody instead of the Father. My firm's website has additional information about child custody litigation here: https://www.colelawgrouppc.com/child-custody.html

Good luck.
View More Answers
Contact & Map
Brentwood, TN, USA