Cain Law Firm delivers principled legal representation across QDROs, litigation, estate planning, business law, consulting, and limited scope services.
20+
Years of Legal Experience
6
Practice Areas
100%
Client-Focused Representation
✓
Flat-Fee Options Available
Who We Are
Personal attention. Experienced counsel.
At Cain Law Firm, every client works directly with our attorney — supported by a dedicated team committed to your outcome.
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Recognition
Named a Super Lawyer in Civil Litigation, 2023–2025 — elite, big-firm litigation experience with small-firm agility.
The Super Lawyers list is issued by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found at SuperLawyers.com.
What We Do
Areas of Practice
QDROs
Precisely drafted Qualified Domestic Relations Orders to protect your retirement assets in divorce proceedings.
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Civil Litigation
Skilled courtroom representation in commercial disputes, contract enforcement, and complex civil matters.
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Estate Planning & Asset Protection
Wills, trusts, and protective structures designed to preserve and transfer your wealth across generations.
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Business Law
Full-service corporate counsel from formation and financing through transactions and succession.
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Consulting
Strategic legal and business advisory for individuals and organizations navigating complex decisions.
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Limited Scope / Review Services
Targeted legal help for specific tasks — document review, coaching, and unbundled services on a flat-fee basis.
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For Business Owners & Investors
Specialized planning when your wealth is your business
We serve families and individuals with the full range of wills, trusts, and estate planning — and we also offer advanced, niche-specific planning for clients whose net worth is tied up in operating businesses and investment entities. If you own rental property, a franchise, or a closely held company, the standard estate plan often isn’t enough to protect your control and your value.
Real Estate Investors
Shield your LLC and Series LLC portfolio from the Tennessee “Assignee Trap” that can strip your heirs of control.
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Franchise Owners
Plan around franchisor transfer restrictions and the transition clock so your unit survives the handoff.
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Business Owners
Preserve hard-won enterprise value with voting splits, key-employee retention, and continuity planning.
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Get Started
Ready to discuss your matter?
We offer confidential consultations. Let us understand your situation and outline a clear path forward.
Who We Are
Experienced. Personal. Principled.
Cain Law Firm is built on a simple belief: every client deserves direct access to experienced legal counsel and a team that is genuinely invested in their outcome.
Our Firm
At Cain Law Firm, you work directly with our attorney from your first consultation through the resolution of your matter. We are supported by a dedicated team of paralegals and legal assistants who help us deliver responsive, thorough service at every stage of your case.
We take on matters where we can make a genuine difference. Our practice is intentionally focused — covering QDROs, civil litigation, estate planning, asset protection, business law, consulting, and limited scope services — so that every client benefits from deep expertise rather than a generalist approach.
We understand that legal matters are rarely just legal matters. They affect your finances, your family, and your peace of mind. We treat each client's situation with the care and attention it deserves.
Our Values
Integrity
We give you honest counsel — even when it is not what you hoped to hear.
Diligence
Thorough preparation and strategic thinking define our approach to every matter.
Accessibility
You have direct access to your attorney throughout your engagement with us.
Results
We measure our success by the outcomes we achieve for those we represent.
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Our firm & our team
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Our Attorney
Meet our lead counsel
Charles M. “Chip” Cain, II
Attorney & Founder, Cain Law Firm
Mr. Cain is a seasoned civil attorney, having spent the last 20 years serving Middle Tennessee. After spending several years in a large, regional law firm, Mr. Cain opened the Cain Law Firm in 2010. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Cain worked in Human Resources, Financial Services, and various corporate management roles. His experience in both legal and non-legal positions gives him a unique perspective in helping individuals and small business owners in navigating the legal world.
Mr. Cain: “Most clients are facing a problem and need clear, concrete advice to help solve that problem. I spent more than a decade in small business and the corporate world, and I apply that experience to extend my advice beyond just the legal issues. I help you look at the whole picture, build a concrete plan to address it, and make an educated decision at every step.”
Credentials & Admissions
Tennessee Bar Association
Nashville School of Law, J.D. (With Honors)
University of Memphis, B.B.A. – Finance
Super Lawyers in Civil Litigation – 2023, 2024, 2025
Recognition
Rated by Super Lawyers
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The Super Lawyers list is issued by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found at SuperLawyers.com.
Home
Expertise
Our Practice Areas
Select a practice area to learn how Cain Law Firm can help. Every engagement begins with a confidential consultation.
QDROs
Protect retirement assets during divorce with precisely drafted Qualified Domestic Relations Orders.
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Civil Litigation
Skilled representation across state and federal courts for commercial and civil disputes.
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Estate Planning & Asset Protection
Wills, trusts, and protective structures designed to preserve and transfer your wealth.
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Business Law
From startup to succession — full-service corporate counsel for businesses of every size.
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Consulting
Strategic legal and business advisory to help you navigate high-stakes decisions.
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Limited Scope / Review Services
Targeted legal help for specific tasks — without the cost of full representation.
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Practice Areas / QDROs
Practice Area
QDROs
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders require technical precision and deep knowledge of both family law and retirement plan administration. Our team is among the most experienced in QDRO drafting and processing in Tennessee.
Precision-drafted orders that protect what you’ve earned — fair, accurate, and future-focused.
QDROs
Civil Litigation
Estate Planning
Business Law
Consulting
Limited Scope
In-Depth QDRO Resource
Explore our dedicated QDRO website
For detailed guidance on Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, plan types, and the drafting process, visit our dedicated QDRO resource.
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order is a legal order that divides retirement plan benefits between divorcing spouses. It directs a retirement plan administrator to pay a portion of one spouse's benefits directly to the other — the alternate payee. Without a properly drafted QDRO, a former spouse may permanently lose retirement benefits they are entitled to under a divorce decree.
QDROs apply to employer-sponsored plans governed by ERISA, including 401(k)s, pensions, profit-sharing plans, and 403(b) plans. Each plan has its own requirements, and errors in drafting can result in rejection, delays, or the permanent loss of benefits.
Our QDRO Services
Drafting QDROs for all plan types — defined benefit, defined contribution, governmental, and military
Review and analysis of plan-specific requirements prior to drafting
Communication with plan administrators on your behalf
Limited valuation services (additional charge in some cases) to help determine the QDRO award calculation
QDRO review for orders drafted by other parties
Post-divorce QDRO modifications and corrections
We handle hundreds of QDROs each year. Representative investment companies: Fidelity, Voya, Empower Retirement, Alight, Vanguard, ADP, John Hancock, The Prudential, T Rowe Price, FERS, Thrift Savings Plan
QDRO Consulting and Expert Witness Services
We consult with individuals, divorce attorneys, and mediators to help with complex retirement plan divisions, including pre-MDA and pre-mediation consulting on structuring and valuing retirement plan asset divisions. If you are a divorce attorney or mediator and need help with a complex issue, call us before the MDA is signed. Mr. Cain has also served as an expert witness regarding QDROs and retirement plan valuations in several courts in Tennessee.
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Our Process
01
Information Gathering
We collect divorce decree details, plan information, personal information and account statements to understand the full picture. This can usually be done through uploading or emailing your documents to us.
02
Plan Review
We review the divorce documents, contact the plan administrator (if needed), review plan-specific QDRO requirements and model language, and discuss any other questions before starting the drafting process.
03
Drafting & Pre-Approval
We draft the order and submit it to the plan for pre-approval (if needed) before filing with the court. In this stage, we also get approval from both parties and make any needed revisions before completion.
04
Court Entry & Administration
Once the draft is approved, we file the QDRO with the court and submit the certified copy to the plan administrator.
Ready to discuss your QDRO? Start your intake or call us directly.
QDROs must be entered before retirement benefits are distributed. Delays can result in the loss of survivorship rights and other protections. Acting promptly after a divorce decree is issued is critical. We can help with older divorce cases that still need a QDRO, but options become limited over time. We always suggest completing the QDROs promptly.
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Related Areas
Estate Planning & Asset Protection →
Limited Scope / Review Services →
Practice Areas / Civil Litigation
Practice Area
Civil Litigation
When disputes cannot be resolved out of court, you need a team that is as effective in the courtroom as at the negotiating table. We are prepared to pursue your interests at every level of the judicial system.
Big-firm experience and Super Lawyer skill — at small-firm pricing and service.
You’ve been told you have two choices. You have a third.
When a dispute threatens your business, conventional wisdom says you must either overpay a big firm or settle for a bargain attorney who’s in over their head. Neither protects you. There is a better way.
Option 1
The Big Firm
Elite experience — but billed at punishing hourly rates, with your case handed off to junior associates.
Option 2
The Bargain Lawyer
Affordable — but lacking the experience and firepower a serious dispute demands.
Option 3
Cain Law Firm
Big-firm experience and Super Lawyer skill — delivered at small-firm pricing, with direct access to your attorney.
You don’t have to choose between experience and affordability. With us, you get both.
Big-Firm Experience
Elite, top-tier litigation talent and a proven track record in state and federal court.
Super Lawyer Skill
Named a Super Lawyer in Civil Litigation, 2023–2025 — recognized among the state's best.
Small-Firm Pricing & Service
Flexible fees, direct access to your attorney, and a budget-conscious, business-first strategy.
The Super Lawyers list is issued by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found at SuperLawyers.com.
Our Litigation Focus Areas
We don’t represent multi-billion-dollar conglomerates. We represent you—the independent business owners, partners, and local companies driving the economy. We protect your interests in:
Contract Disputes
Whether it’s a vendor failing to deliver, a customer refusing to pay, or a breach of a non-compete, we enforce your rights and protect your revenue.
LLC & Partnership Disputes
Internal conflicts can paralyze a company. We resolve member exit battles, squeeze-outs, and breaches of fiduciary duty efficiently.
Construction Disputes
Protecting contractors, subcontractors, and property owners from costly project delays, mechanics’ liens, and workmanship claims.
Business Valuation & Governance
Navigating high-stakes disagreements over what a business is worth, shareholder deadlocks, and corporate governance failures.
Employment Litigation
Defending small businesses against wage-and-hour, discrimination, or wrongful termination claims before they drain your operating capital.
Why Budget-Conscious Businesses Choose Us
Elite Credibility, Realistic Pricing. Attorney Chip Cain was named a Super Lawyer in Civil Litigation from 2023–2025—a distinction given to only a small percentage of attorneys in the state. The Super Lawyers list is issued by Thomson Reuters; a description of the selection methodology can be found at SuperLawyers.com. You get recognized, top-tier legal talent without paying for a downtown skyscraper’s overhead.
Clear, Flexible Pricing
Predictable legal spend is crucial for small businesses. We work with you to find flexible fee structures—tailored hourly rates, phased billing, or flat-fee arrangements for specific litigation milestones.
Direct Access to Your Advocate
At big firms, your case is often passed down to junior associates learning on your dime. Here, you work directly with a seasoned litigator who knows your business, responds to your calls, and steers strategy from day one.
Pragmatic, Business-First Strategy
Winning at all costs isn’t a victory if the legal fees ruin your business. We treat your litigation as a business decision, weighing the cost of trial against smart, aggressive settlement strategies to get you back to work faster.
A True Third Option
Elite, big-firm experience delivered with small-firm agility, personal attention, and a budget-conscious mindset built for independent businesses and individuals.
Our Litigation Practice
Cain Law Firm represents individuals and businesses in civil litigation matters across Tennessee state courts and the federal district courts. We combine thorough case preparation with strategic, efficient advocacy — always with an eye toward the outcome that best serves your long-term interests.
We represent both plaintiffs and defendants. Whether you are pursuing a claim or defending one, our approach is the same: methodical preparation, honest counsel, and vigorous representation.
Beyond core business disputes, we also handle tortious interference with business relationships; fraud, misrepresentation, and fiduciary-duty claims; probate and estate disputes; and partnership and shareholder disputes.
Our Approach
We pursue resolution through negotiation or alternative dispute resolution wherever it is in your interest to do so. When litigation is necessary, we commit fully — from pre-litigation strategy through discovery, motion practice, trial, and appeal.
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Representative Cases
01
Franklin American Mortgage v. University Nat’l Bank
Won summary judgment and defended the judgment through the Federal Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Franklin Amer. Mortg. Co. v. Univ. Nat’l Bank of Lawrence, 910 S.W.3d 270 (6th Cir. 2018)
02
Sparks v. Dillingham
Represented Plaintiff in case of first impression, overturning the trial court’s denial of summary judgment to the Plaintiff. Sparks v. Dillingham, 2013 WL 2420391 (Tenn. Ct. App. Jun. 4, 2013)
03
McKee v. CTel No. 1
Successfully defended employer against sexual harassment claims to jury verdict. McKee v. CTel No. 1, No. 3:17-cv-01566 (M.D. Tenn. 2019)
04
FDA Properties, LLC v Miller
Successfully overturned the trial court on appeal, then won Summary Judgment on remand. FDA Properties, LLC v. Miller, 2018 WL 5919139 (Tenn. Ct. App. Nov. 13, 2018)
05
Shiplane Transport, Inc. v. HWY 31 Exchange Inc., et al.
Served as lead counsel for the out-of-state defendants in a commercial dispute. The court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction and venue. Shiplane Transp., Inc. v. HWY 31 Exch. Inc., No. 1:23-cv-09995 (S.D.N.Y.)
Don’t Let a Legal Dispute Derail Your Hard Work.
Let’s talk about your options, your budget, and how we can protect what you’ve built.
Time is critical in litigation matters. Contact us to protect your rights.
Recognition
Rated by Super Lawyers
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The Super Lawyers list is issued by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found at SuperLawyers.com.
Statutes of Limitations
Civil claims are subject to strict filing deadlines. Waiting too long can permanently bar your right to bring a claim. Contact us promptly to protect your legal rights.
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Related Areas
Business Law →
Consulting →
Practice Areas / Estate Planning & Asset Protection
Practice Area
Estate Planning & Asset Protection
Protecting what you have built — for yourself, your family, and future generations — requires thoughtful planning and precise legal structures. We help clients create lasting frameworks for wealth preservation and transfer.
Sophisticated asset protection and estate strategy — legacy, protection, and peace of mind.
QDROs
Civil Litigation
Estate Planning
Business Law
Consulting
Limited Scope
Begin Intake ↗
In-Depth Asset Protection Resource
Explore our dedicated asset protection website
For detailed guidance on trusts, asset protection strategies, and advanced estate planning in Tennessee, visit our dedicated asset protection resource.
Comprehensive Asset Protection and Estate Planning
A well-constructed estate plan does more than distribute assets at death — it protects your wealth during your lifetime, provides for loved ones, minimizes tax exposure, and ensures your wishes are honored. We work with each client to build a complete plan tailored to their unique family, financial, and business circumstances.
Estate Planning Services
Wills and pour-over wills
Revocable living trusts
Irrevocable trusts — including SLATs, ILITs, GRATs, and CRTs
Powers of attorney — financial and healthcare
Advance healthcare directives and living wills
Business succession planning integrated with estate planning
Beneficiary designation review and coordination
Estate administration and probate
Asset Protection
Asset protection planning is the strategic arrangement of your financial affairs to shield assets from potential future creditors, lawsuits, or judgments — before any claim arises. We design structures that provide durable protection within the bounds of the law.
Domestic asset protection trusts (DAPTs)
Family limited partnerships and family limited liability companies
Medicaid planning and long-term care structuring
Homestead and exemption planning
Qualified retirement account optimization
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Our Process
01
Discovery Meeting
We learn about your family, finances, business interests, and goals to build a complete picture.
02
Plan Design
We develop a customized plan and walk you through every document and structure we recommend.
03
Drafting & Execution
We draft all documents and guide you through the signing and funding process.
04
Ongoing Review
We recommend periodic reviews to keep your plan current with changes in law and life circumstances.
Specialized Planning
Advanced planning for business owners & investors
Beyond traditional wills and trusts, we offer premium, niche-specific planning for clients whose wealth is tied up in operating businesses and investment entities — where the wrong succession plan can quietly destroy control and value.
Real Estate Investors
Protect governance control of your LLCs and Series LLCs against the Tennessee Assignee Trap.
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Franchise Owners
Navigate franchisor transfer restrictions and the transition clock before they threaten your unit.
Learn More →
Business Owners
Preserve enterprise value with voting splits, executive retention, and continuity planning.
Learn More →
Estate planning is most effective when done proactively. Start your intake or call us directly.
Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a significant change in assets, or a move to a new state are all triggers to review and update your estate plan. A review every three to five years is advisable regardless.
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Related Areas
QDROs →
Business Law →
Estate Planning for Real Estate Investors
Your heirs could inherit your rental income — and lose control of the properties that produce it.
Tennessee law contains a trap that can strip your family of all governance power over your LLCs the moment you die or become incapacitated, leaving them as powerless income recipients while someone else runs your portfolio. Sophisticated structuring prevents it.
Most investors assume that if their LLC interests pass to their spouse or children, the family simply steps into their shoes. In Tennessee, that assumption can be catastrophically wrong.
Governance Rights Vanish
Under T.C.A. § 48-219-101 and § 48-216-101, when a member’s membership terminates and the LLC’s business continues, the successor is treated as a mere assignee of financial rights — entitled to distributions, but stripped of all voting and management authority.
Income Without Control
Your heirs may receive checks, but cannot decide when to sell, refinance, or distribute. They cannot remove a manager, approve capital calls, or direct strategy. The portfolio you built runs without them.
The Default Operating Agreement
Form LLC documents and DIY filings rarely override the statutory default. If your operating agreement is silent, the statute governs — and the statute favors loss of control.
Multiplied Across Every Entity
Active investors often hold a dozen or more single-property LLCs or a Series LLC. The trap repeats in every entity, compounding the exposure across the entire portfolio.
Our Solution Blueprint
Structures that preserve control, not just cash flow
We design the ownership architecture so that governance — not merely income — passes intact to the people you choose, on the terms you set.
Holding-Company Architecture
A parent holding LLC owns the property-level entities, consolidating governance at a single, trust-owned tier so succession is controlled in one place rather than entity by entity.
Operating Agreement Overrides
We draft express provisions that override the statutory assignee default — ensuring your successor trustee or heirs retain full governance rights, not just financial rights.
Trust-Owned Membership
Membership interests held in a properly structured trust avoid the termination event that triggers the trap, while adding creditor protection and probate avoidance.
Series & Multi-Entity Coordination
For Series LLCs and large portfolios, we align every series and entity under one coherent succession plan, eliminating the gaps that DIY structures leave behind.
Preserve voting and management control across death or incapacity
Keep refinance, sale, and distribution decisions in trusted hands
Layer in creditor protection and probate avoidance
Coordinate every LLC and series under one succession plan
Find out whether the Assignee Trap is hiding in your portfolio.
We’ll review your entity structure and operating agreements and tell you, plainly, where your control is exposed.
Your franchise agreement may give the franchisor a veto over who inherits your business.
Most franchise agreements restrict transfers — including transfers at death. Without advance planning, your family can be forced into a 90-to-180-day scramble to win franchisor approval, or watch the franchise be terminated and its value erased.
A franchise is not an ordinary asset. Your right to operate it is governed by a contract that the franchisor wrote — and that contract usually controls what happens when you die.
Transfer Restrictions Apply at Death
Most franchise agreements treat a transfer to heirs as a regulated transfer requiring franchisor consent. Your estate plan cannot simply hand the business to your family if the franchise agreement says otherwise.
The Transition Clock
Many agreements impose a strict window — often 90 to 180 days — for the estate to designate a qualified successor, obtain approval, and complete training. Miss it, and the franchisor may terminate.
Corporate Termination
If approval fails or the clock runs out, the franchisor can terminate the franchise. The location, the brand rights, and often the underlying value disappear — leaving your family with debt and a shuttered unit.
Unqualified Heirs
Franchisors typically require successors to meet financial and operational qualifications. A grieving spouse or child who doesn’t meet them has no automatic right to step in.
Our Solution Blueprint
Pre-approved continuity, before the clock ever starts
We build a succession plan that satisfies the franchise agreement in advance — so your family inherits an operating business, not a countdown.
Franchise Agreement Audit
We read the actual transfer, succession, and termination clauses in your specific agreement and map exactly what the franchisor will require of your estate.
Pre-Designated Successor
We identify and, where the agreement allows, pre-qualify a successor operator or manager — so approval is a formality, not a crisis.
Trust & Entity Alignment
We structure ownership so the transfer mechanism your franchisor accepts is already in place, coordinated with your trust and operating documents.
Interim Management Plan
A standby management arrangement keeps the unit operating and compliant during the transition window, protecting both cash flow and the franchise relationship.
Know your franchisor’s transfer and termination terms before they matter
Pre-qualify a successor so approval isn’t left to chance
Keep the unit operating through the transition window
Preserve brand rights, location, and enterprise value
Does your estate plan satisfy your franchise agreement?
We’ll review your franchise agreement’s transfer provisions against your current plan and show you where the gaps are.
You spent decades building enterprise value. The wrong transition can make it evaporate overnight.
A viable business is worth far more than its assets — until the owner is gone and key people walk, customers leave, and control fractures among heirs. We plan the transition so the value you built survives you.
Enterprise value — the premium a business commands above its hard assets — depends on continuity, key relationships, and clear control. Each of those is fragile at succession.
Fractured Control
When ownership passes equally to several heirs, no one has decisive control. Deadlock stalls decisions, and a once-nimble company freezes at the worst possible moment.
Key-Employee Flight
The managers and rainmakers who drive the business have no reason to stay through an uncertain transition. When they leave, they take relationships, know-how, and value with them.
Heirs in the Boardroom
Giving every child a vote — including those uninvolved in the business — invites conflict between those who run the company and those who simply own a piece of it.
Forced, Discounted Sale
Without a plan, families often sell under pressure, to the first buyer, at a fraction of true value — precisely the outcome a lifetime of work was meant to avoid.
We separate ownership from control and lock in the people who make the business worth owning — so it transfers as a going concern, not a fire sale.
Voting vs. Non-Voting Splits
We recapitalize into voting and non-voting interests, so decisive control concentrates in capable hands while economic value can pass to all your heirs fairly.
Executive Retention & Golden Handcuffs
Stay bonuses, deferred compensation, and equity-style incentives give key employees a powerful reason to remain through — and beyond — the transition.
Buy-Sell & Governance Framework
Funded buy-sell agreements and clear governance terms prevent deadlock, define how interests change hands, and set the price before a dispute ever arises.
Tax-Efficient Wealth Transfer
Trusts and valuation strategies move enterprise value to the next generation while managing estate-tax exposure and preserving liquidity.
Keep decisive control in capable hands while treating heirs fairly
Retain the key people who drive enterprise value
Prevent deadlock and family conflict with clear governance
Transfer the business as a going concern, not a distress sale
What is your business really worth — and will that value survive you?
We’ll evaluate your ownership structure and succession exposure and show you how to protect the enterprise value you’ve built.
From the day you form your entity to the day you exit, we provide the legal foundation your business needs to operate with confidence, manage risk, and pursue growth.
Big-firm counsel and Super Lawyer credibility — built for the way your business actually runs.
Cain Law Firm serves clients ranging from early-stage startups to established enterprises. We function as trusted outside general counsel — available to advise on the legal questions that arise in the day-to-day and strategic operation of any business.
Business Formation & Structure
Entity selection and formation — LLCs, corporations, partnerships, professional entities
Operating agreements and shareholder agreements
Buy-sell agreements and ownership transfer provisions
Multi-member and multi-class ownership structures
Transactions & Contracts
Mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures
Asset and stock purchase agreements
Commercial lease negotiation and review
Vendor, supplier, and service agreements
Non-disclosure and non-compete agreements
Licensing and intellectual property agreements
Ongoing Corporate Counsel
Board resolutions and corporate governance
Employment policy and HR compliance
Regulatory compliance and licensing
Business succession and ownership transition planning
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Representative Matters
Business Sale
Represent buyers and sellers in business sales and mergers. We have handled asset purchase agreements, stock sales, LLC membership transfers, joint venture agreements, and various other business sales or start-ups.
Business Formation
We regularly advise clients on proper business structure and assist in setting up corporations, LLCs, and business trusts.
Ongoing Engagement
We serve as your outside general counsel — available when you need us, with a deep understanding of your business. We have helped on franchise purchases and sales, commercial leases, employment matters, corporate financing, trade secrets matters, non-compete and non-solicitation matters, and various other problems facing small businesses, entrepreneurs, and executives.
Growth & Transition
As your business evolves, we evolve with it — advising on transactions, restructuring, and eventual succession.
Businesses benefit most from legal counsel before problems arise. Let’s talk.
Outside General Counsel
We provide the responsiveness and knowledge of in-house counsel at a fraction of the cost — ideal for growing businesses that need real legal guidance without a full-time attorney on staff.
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Related Areas
Civil Litigation →
Estate Planning →
Practice Areas / Consulting
Practice Area
Consulting
Not every legal matter requires full representation. Our consulting services provide individuals, businesses, and organizations with direct access to experienced legal counsel for strategic guidance, second opinions, and complex problem-solving.
Big-firm insight on demand — strategic counsel without the full-representation price tag.
Our consulting practice serves clients who need experienced legal and strategic guidance without entering into full representation. Whether you are evaluating a transaction, reviewing documents drafted by another party, or seeking a second opinion on a legal strategy, we provide candid, expert counsel.
Who We Serve
Individuals reviewing documents or agreements before signing
Business owners evaluating potential transactions or partnerships
Attorneys seeking co-counsel or specialist review on QDRO or estate matters
Organizations seeking compliance and risk assessment guidance
Fiduciaries — trustees, executors, and plan administrators — seeking guidance on their duties
Mediators and arbitrators seeking neutral legal analysis
Consulting Services
Contract and document review and risk analysis
QDRO preparation and MDA advice regarding retirement plan divisions
Estate plan review and second opinion
Business structure analysis and recommendation
Litigation strategy review and co-counsel services
Expert witness services in QDRO and retirement plan division matters
Regulatory and compliance review
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How Consulting Engagements Work
01
Initial Call
We discuss your matter, the type of guidance you need, and whether a consulting engagement is the right fit.
02
Scope Agreement
We define the scope, timeline, and fee structure clearly before any work begins.
03
Review & Analysis
We review relevant documents, research applicable law, and develop our analysis and recommendations.
04
Delivery & Discussion
We deliver our findings in writing and meet with you to discuss conclusions and answer questions.
Consulting engagements are scoped and priced clearly upfront. Let’s talk.
Flat-Fee Options
Many consulting engagements — including document reviews and QDRO analysis — are available on a flat-fee basis, so you know the cost before we begin.
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Related Areas
Limited Scope / Review Services →
QDROs →
Practice Areas / Limited Scope / Review Services
Practice Area
Limited Scope / Review Services
Not every situation calls for full legal representation — and full representation is not always what you can afford. Our limited scope services give you access to experienced legal help for specific, defined tasks at a transparent, predictable cost.
Experienced legal help, exactly where you need it — transparent, defined, and affordable.
Limited scope representation — sometimes called “unbundled” legal services — allows you to hire an attorney for a specific portion of your legal matter rather than the whole case. You handle the parts you are comfortable with; we handle the parts that require legal expertise. The result is professional legal support tailored to your needs and your budget.
This model is especially well-suited for individuals who are representing themselves in a legal matter (pro se litigants), small business owners who need targeted contract help, or anyone who needs a legal document reviewed before signing but does not require ongoing representation.
What We Can Help With
Most Requested
Document Review
We review documents you have received or drafted and provide a clear written analysis of the risks, obligations, and recommended changes.
Contracts and business agreements
Leases — commercial and residential
Settlement agreements and releases, employment agreements, severance agreements
Proposed court orders and consent decrees
QDROs drafted by other attorneys
Estate planning documents prepared elsewhere
Coaching & Ghostwriting
We advise you on how to handle your own legal matter and, where appropriate, prepare documents for you to file or sign yourself.
Pro se pre-litigation and litigation coaching and strategy
Court filing preparation and review
Letter and demand letter drafting
Response drafting to legal correspondence
Mediation preparation and strategy
Legal research memos on specific questions
Fractional In-House Counsel
Ongoing legal guidance for small and growing businesses — the responsiveness of in-house counsel at a fraction of the cost. A predictable monthly fee, scoped to your needs.
Day-to-day legal questions — usually same-day response
Customer, vendor, and partner contract review and negotiation
Demand letter response and early-stage dispute triage
Coordination of specialist counsel (IP, tax, immigration)
Quarterly legal-health check-ins
Additional Limited Scope Services
Single-issue legal opinions and written analysis
One-time consultations on a specific legal question
Review and markup of contracts before you sign
Negotiation strategy coaching
Second opinion on legal advice received from another attorney
Assistance with pro se divorce or family court matters
Important notice: Limited scope representation does not create a full attorney-client relationship for purposes of ongoing representation. We will clearly define the scope of our engagement in writing before any work begins. If your matter requires full representation, we will let you know.
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How It Works
01
Initial Inquiry
Contact us and briefly describe what you need. We will let you know whether a limited scope engagement is a good fit for your situation.
02
Scope & Fee Agreement
We define exactly what we will do, what we will not do, and the flat fee or hourly estimate — in writing, before we start.
03
We Do the Work
We complete the agreed task — review, draft, research, or advise — and deliver the work product within the agreed timeframe.
04
Delivery & Follow-Up
We deliver the work product and answer your questions. If further help is needed, we can expand the scope or move to full representation.
Tell us what you need. We will tell you what it costs — before we start.
Transparent Pricing
Most limited scope services are available on a flat-fee basis. You will know the cost before we begin — no surprises, no open-ended billing. Contact us with a description of your matter for a fee quote.
Is This Right for You?
Limited scope services work best when your legal need is specific and well-defined. If you are unsure whether you need limited scope help or full representation, contact us — we will give you an honest answer.
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Related Areas
Consulting →
QDROs →
Estate Planning →
Online Intake
Start your intake online
Securely provide your information ahead of your consultation. Choose the form that fits your matter.
Litigation & All Other Matters
General Intake
Civil litigation, business disputes, consulting, and any matter that isn’t a QDRO or estate plan.
Not for QDROs or estate planning — use those forms instead.
All initial consultations are confidential. We will review your matter and provide an honest assessment of your options. For QDROs, in-person initial consultations are usually not necessary and can be conducted via phone or email.
Office Information
Address
219 Third Ave. North Franklin, TN 37064
Phone
(615) 599-1785
Email
ccain@cainlawtn.com
Office Hours
Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm CT
After Hours
Urgent matters available by arrangement
Recognition
Rated by Super Lawyers
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The Super Lawyers list is issued by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found at SuperLawyers.com.
Send Us a Message
Thank you. We have received your inquiry and will be in touch within one business day.
