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Ryan A. Freeman

Associate

Ryan Freeman assists clients with general litigation matters.

Featured Experience


Obtained verdict of $7.25 million plus $1.1 million interest on behalf of a privately owned wastewater utility company in a two-week jury trial in Lexington, South Carolina. The condemnor, a municipality, urged the jury to award the company less than $1 million in compensation.

Successfully obtained emergency regulatory relief before the Tennessee Public Utility Commission for privately-owned water utility impacted by wildfires.

2018

Represented a large, privately-owned water utility company in Montana in an 11 day "right-to-take" condemnation trial, and subsequent six-day "valuation" trial. Obtained judgment of $88.6 million plus attorney's fees – far above the condemnor's proof at trial of a $45 million value.

2015

Professional Biography


Mr. Freeman regularly represents clients on such issues as eminent domain, complex contract and commercial disputes, and regulatory filings. His regulatory practice has involved representation on behalf of water and telecommunications utilities before the Tennessee Public Utility Commission. His eminent domain practice has resulted in representation for clients across the United States, including working on behalf of utilities in strategic political and public relations efforts and in the complex right-to-take and valuation phases of condemnation actions.

Prior to joining Baker Donelson, Mr. Freeman interned in the narcotics and economic crimes sections of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia. He is the father of two children and avidly pursues baking, trail running, woodworking, and being outdoors with his family.

  • Obtained verdict of $7.25 million plus $1.1 million interest on behalf of a privately owned wastewater utility company in a two-week jury trial in Lexington, South Carolina. The condemnor, a municipality, urged the jury to award the company less than $1 million in compensation.

  • Successfully obtained emergency regulatory relief before the Tennessee Public Utility Commission for privately-owned water utility impacted by wildfires.

  • Represented a large, privately-owned water utility company in Montana in an 11 day "right-to-take" condemnation trial, and subsequent six-day "valuation" trial. Obtained judgment of $88.6 million plus attorney's fees – far above the condemnor's proof at trial of a $45 million value.

  • Obtained a permanent injunction in federal court against a competitor of the client that designed a sophisticated scheme to prey on client's market recognition and goodwill for an important dietary supplement brand. Our client, an over-the-counter brand manufacturer, recently acquired several established health care brands. During due diligence, we identified the scheme and filed an action in U.S. District Court for trademark and trade dress infringement, as well as false labeling. To settle the lawsuit, the defendants agreed to a permanent injunction against infringement, abandoned all markets for the competing product, assigned any rights to their infringing marks to our client, and paid a confidential but substantial sum to cover our client's attorneys' fees.

  • Represented a fire extinguisher and fire systems service company involving a fire that occurred in a manufacturing facility located in Newport, Tennessee. Plaintiffs asserted allegations of negligence, breach of contract, breach of warranty and other causes of action. The damages alleged by plaintiffs were in excess of $31.5 million.

  • Successfully obtained summary judgment against an agency of the City of Nashville for breach of a contractual first right of refusal, and successfully defended against the Agency's $200,000 counterclaim.

  • Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a Tennessee electric power board in a tort liability litigation.

  • Staff Member – Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal (2012 – 2013)
  • Recipient – Shapiro Writing Award for Excellence in Consumer Bankruptcy Writing

Education

  • Emory University School of Law, J.D., 2014
    • Dean's Award Winner – International Legal Research, Secured Transactions
  • University of Tennessee, B.S., 2007, magna cum laude

Admissions

  • Tennessee, 2014
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2022
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle and Western Districts of Tennessee, 2021
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, 2015

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