Chris Wilson

Chris Wilson advises companies and nonprofit organizations on state and local tax planning and controversy matters, helping clients manage tax exposure, resolve disputes with taxing authorities and capture incentives that support business growth. Based in Nashville, he counsels clients in industries including manufacturing, retail, cable television, real estate, professional services, waste management and software. He also represents financial institutions, beneficiaries and families in trust, probate, estate and conservatorship disputes.

Chris guides clients through state tax matters in both administrative and judicial forums, from challenging assessments and pursuing refunds to resolving issues involving including, but not limited to, business, property, franchise and excise, and sales and use taxes. He also provides multistate tax analysis for business transactions, addressing nexus, apportionment, exemptions, transferee liability and voluntary disclosure agreements.

For companies relocating or expanding operations in Tennessee, Chris structures and negotiates state tax incentives. He works alongside the Firm's governmental relations attorneys to draft tax legislation, analyze the economic impact of state tax policies and develop strategies that address a wide range of client issues. He is an active member of the Independent SALT Alliance (ISA), a multistate network of state and local tax practitioners.

Trust, Probate and Estate Representation

In fiduciary disputes, Chris develops strategies to resolve conflicts within the terms of trust instruments and estate planning documents while minimizing the impact on client and family relationships. He has represented financial institutions, particularly their trust and wealth management officers, in matters alleging breach of trust and breach of fiduciary duty. He has also represented trust and estate beneficiaries in will contests, breach claims and other claims involving fraud and undue influence.

Chris additionally represents both petitioners and respondents in conservatorship proceedings, where legal complexity intersects with family dynamics and individual desires for autonomy. He pursues reasonable solutions that preserve individual autonomy and family harmony while ensuring disabled individuals receive necessary care and management. Across both practices, his blend of technical tax knowledge and litigation judgment helps clients address difficult matters with attention to both financial and personal considerations.