Philip L. Robertson, Principal

Bio

Philip Robertson is the principal of Robertson Law Group. Since 2001, Mr. Robertson has litigated hundreds of cases, including dozens through trial or appeal. He has obtained millions of dollars in settlements and judgments in a variety of cases, and has defended clients in “bet the company” litigation. His practice is well balanced between representing plaintiffs and defendants. While he is a seasoned litigator, he realizes that litigation should often be the last resort and that dispute avoidance is superior to dispute resolution. As such, he uses his litigation experience in advising clients and in structuring deals and drafting documents with an aim at avoiding litigation altogether. He approaches all representation first as an advisor, and second as an advocate.

Mr. Robertson began his professional career at Manier & Herod, where he practiced as an associate from 2001 through 2007. His practice there focused largely on surety and construction litigation as well as related bankruptcy litigation and secured commercial transactions.

In 2008 Mr. Robertson associated his practice with Smythe, Puryear, and Robertson, until opening the offices of Robertson Law Group in 2010.

Mr. Robertson is licensed to practice law before all state and federal courts of the state of Tennessee, and regularly assists out of state attorneys by acting as local counsel. He has represented clients throughout Tennessee, as well as in disputes in Texas, Kansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Alabama, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Kentucky, and Indiana.

Bar Admissions

  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee
  • U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee
  • U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois

  • U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit

  • U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit

Education

  • University of Tennessee College of Law
    Knoxville, Tennessee
    J.D. – 2001

  • The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina
    Charleston, South Carolina
    B.A. – 1998
    Honors: cum laude

Memberships and Honors

  • Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed Mediator

  • Tennessee Bar Association

  • Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators

  • Selected to Mid-South Super Lawyers 2021–2023

Areas of Practice

  • Commercial & Business Law and Litigation

  • Construction, Surety, and Insurance Law and Litigation

  • Collections, Foreclosure, and Judgment Enforcement

  • Bankruptcy: Creditor Representation

  • Contract Disputes and Litigation

  • Real Estate Law and Landlord/Commercial Tenant Representation

  • Civil Litigation

  • Mediation and Arbitration

  • Local Counsel

Select Decisions

  • Garrett v. Hidden Valley Homes, et al., 2023 Tenn.App.LEXIS 426 (Tenn.Ct.App. Oct. 16, 2023)
  • 21st Mortgage Corporation v. Ford, 2023 Tenn.App.LEXIS 164 (Tenn.Ct.App. April 25, 2023)
  • Liell v. Stich, 2021 Tenn.App.LEXIS 416 (Tenn.Ct.App. October 14, 2021)
  • Smith v. Poston At the Park, LLC, 2021 U.S.Dist.LEXIS 126284 (M.D.TN July 7, 2021)
  • Ohio Casualty Insurance Co. v. Adams, 2020 U.S.Dist.LEXIS 225164 (December 2, 2020)
  • Jasinskis v. Cameron, 2020 Tenn.App.LEXIS 237 (Tenn.Ct.App. May 27, 2020)
  • Lexis Insurance Co. v. Windhaven Shores, Inc., 601 S.W.3d 332 (Tenn.Ct.App. 2019)
  • Metro. Gov’t of Nashville and Davidson County v. Wood Ridge Development, Inc., 2016 Tenn.App.LEXIS 845 (Tenn.Ct.App. Novemeber 4, 2016)
  • Columbia Nat’l Insurance Co. v. JR Livingston Constr., LLC, 2016 U.S.Dist.LEXIS 41499 (M.D.TN March 28, 2016)
  • Smith v. Music City Homes, LLC, 2015 U.S.Dist.LEXIS 21706 (M.D.TN Feb 23, 2015)
  • First National Bank v. Lemons (In re Lemons), 2014 Bankr.LEXIS 5362 (E.D.TN June 2, 2014)

  • McIllwain v. Hoover, 2014 Tenn.App.LEXIS 291 (Tenn.Ct.App. May 19, 2014)

  • Forrest Construction Co. v. Cincinnati Insurance Co., 703 F.3d 359 (6th Cir. 2013)(affirming trial court decision reported at 728 F.Supp.2d 955 (M.D.TN 2010))

  • Prince Trust v. Blackwell, 735 F.Supp.2d 804 (M.D.TN 2010)

  • Tatham & Assocs. v. Sagepoint Financial, 2011 U.S.Dis.LEXIS 170170 (M.D.TN January 24, 2011)

  • American Southern Insurance Co. v. Maverick Construction and Engineering Corp., 2007 U.S.Dist.LEXIS 24031 (W.D.TN March 30, 2007)

  • Universal Bonding Ins. Co. v. Midstate Construction, 2007 U.S.Dist.LEXIS 13204 (E.D.TN February 23, 2007)

  • Developers Surety & Indemnity Co. v. Martin, 2006 U.S.Dist.LEXIS 48325 (E.D.TN July 14, 2006)

  • Safeco Insurance Co. of Am. v. Farmland Industries (In re Farmland Indus.), 296 B.R. 793 (8th Cir. BAP 2003)