Jeffrey A. Zager

Member

Jeffrey Zager is a Member of Neal & Harwell and serves on the firm’s Executive Committee. His practice focuses on complex civil litigation and appeals. Jeffrey represents clients in high stakes litigation in a variety of industries and legal areas, including complex business disputes, catastrophic injury, class actions, and constitutional litigation. He is included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation.

Jeffrey earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School. Prior to joining Neal & Harwell, Jeffrey served as a law clerk for Judge William J. Haynes, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee and Judge Thomas W. Brothers of the Davidson County Circuit Court in Nashville, Tennessee.

Jeffrey’s service extends beyond the law firm, as he was selected as a 2024 Fellow for the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. He is also a past Board Member of the Martha O’Bryan Center and past Chair of its junior board, NextUp. Jeffrey was also an inaugural Board Member of the Frist Art Museum’s Warhol Society. Jeffrey was named a 2020 Nashville Emerging Leaders Award Finalist in the Legal Services Industry.

Representative Matters:

Obtained summary judgment in favor of Texas-based financial services firm in breach of contract case where hotel operator sought more than $1.3 million following cancellation of an annual conference during the Covid-19 pandemic. Avantax Wealth Management, Inc. v. Marriott Hotel Services, Inc. (M.D. Tenn. 2023)
Obtained $5 million jury trial verdict in breach of contract case arising out of a $500 million acquisition. Thompson Research Group, LLC v. Winnebago Industries, Inc. (M.D. Tenn. 2021)
Successfully challenged the constitutionality of a provision of the Tennessee Health Care Liability Act. Willeford v. Klepper, 597 S.W.3d 454 (Tenn. 2020)
Obtained $9 million jury trial verdict in wrongful death case involving negligent failure to treat cardiac condition with implantation of an internal cardiac defibrillator Patterson v. STHS Heart, LLC, Davidson County Circuit Court (2019)
Successfully argued before the Tennessee Supreme Court, resulting in a unanimous decision reversing the Court of Appeals below, in case of first impression regarding the pro se filing of a wrongful death action Beard v. Branson, 528 S.W.3d 487 (Tenn. 2017)
Defended international commercial airline in federal court against claims under the Montreal Convention

Legal Services

Professional & Civic Affiliations

American Bar Association – Member
Tennessee Bar Association – Member
Nashville Bar Association – Member
American Bar Foundation – Fellow
Nashville Bar Foundation – Fellow
Martha O’Bryan Center – Board of Directors (2019-2022), NextUP Junior Board (2016-2022; Chair 2019-2021)
Frist Art Museum – Warhol Society Board Member (2019-2022)
Colorado College Alumni Association Council
2021-2025 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America – Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, & Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity – 2024 Fellow

Education

Vanderbilt University Law School, 2013, J.D.
Colorado College, 2010, B.A.

Jeffrey A. Zager

Member

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