Waldon Adelman Expands into Tennessee: A New Chapter in Regional Growth

Waldon Adelman Castilla McNamara & Prout is excited to officially announce the opening of our new office in Tennessee, extending our firm’s commitment to offering exceptional legal representation beyond Georgia. Establishing a local presence in Tennessee allows us to keep pace with our clients’ evolving needs and directly support their operations in the state. Leading this growth is Partner Steve Wilson, who is our Managing Partner for the new Tennessee office. Below, Steve discusses what this expansion means for our practice, our clients, and our future in Tennessee.

Q: Why is Tennessee the right destination for Waldon Adelman’s next expansion, and why is now the right time?

Steve Wilson: It’s a natural evolution for our firm. Tennessee offers close proximity to our primary base in Georgia, making it a logical next step as we grow into a broader regional footprint. I’ve been licensed in Tennessee for 12 years and have been eager to fully utilize that license. With the sustained growth of our firm and our team situated right where we need to be, the timing aligned perfectly to expand our reach and take on cases we previously could not capture.

Q: How does this move directly benefit our existing clients, and what role did they play in the decision?

Steve: This expansion is a direct response to our clients’ growing needs. Many of our established Georgia clients operate heavily across state lines, and having feet on the ground in Tennessee allows us to provide them with seamless, high-quality defense representation without interruption. Our clients have specific litigation needs in Tennessee that we are uniquely positioned to step in and fill. Having a local presence allows us to capture that work and better serve insurance carriers, and their insured, operating throughout the state.

Q: Where will the new practice be physically based?

Steve: We currently have physical office space and conference facilities secured in Chattanooga to support immediate operations. Looking ahead, our ideal long-term goal is to establish a presence in Knoxville, which will place us even more centrally to serve clients efficiently across the eastern half of Tennessee.

Q: How does this expansion fit into our broader vision across the Southeast?

Steve: We are taking a deliberate, measured approach. Following our model utilized to expand our presence into southern Georgia, stepping into eastern Tennessee allows us to build a strong, sustainable regional network. The broader vision is to thoughtfully enter new markets to ensure we maintain the high level of service our firm is known for offering.

Q: What unique strengths does Waldon Adelman bring to the Tennessee legal landscape?

Steve: Core insurance defense is what we do best. We bring deep courtroom experience and trial capability, but just as importantly, we value relationships. We look forward to establishing our reputation in Tennessee by bringing our trial-tested expertise to every case.

Q: What are your immediate priorities over the next 6 to 12 months?

Steve: Our primary focus is relationship-building and immersion. We want to get to better know the local courts, familiarizing ourselves with the jurisdictions, judges, and fellow attorneys—on both the defense and plaintiff bars. It’s about building trust, establishing our presence, and delivering excellent results for our clients from day one.

Q: What message do you want to send to the Tennessee business and legal community?

Steve: We’re here to be long-term partners. Waldon Adelman is bringing proven defense litigation expertise to Tennessee to support local businesses, insurers, and existing clients with dedicated, high-caliber legal service.