Samuel L. Jackson

Tennessee

Spencer Fane LLP
511 Union Street
Suite 1000
Nashville, TN 37219

Tel: 615.238.6312

Email: sjackson@spencerfane.com
Web: www.spencerfane.com

Professional Biography

Sam Jackson practices in the areas of education and labor & employment law, focusing on a variety of legal issues including employment of licensed and classified employees, employee contracts, employee and student discipline, employee and student rights, special education and disability accommodation, First Amendment issues, sexual harassment and civil rights matters, desegregation, tort liability, school finance and taxation, and school construction.

With extensive experience in general litigation, product liability, labor and employment law, transportation, workers’ compensation law, probate litigation, and general business litigation, Sam has represented boards of education and other business entities and individuals in various federal and state actions and administrative actions across Tennessee.

Representative Experience
  • Represented several Boards of Education across the state involving employment of licensed and classified employees, employee contracts, employee and student discipline, employee and student rights, special education and disability accommodation, First Amendment issues, sexual harassment and civil rights matters, desegregation, tort liability, school finance and taxation, and school construction.
  • Successfully defended individuals and businesses in personal injury actions across Tennessee.
  • Successfully defended employers in workers’ compensation matters including defenses concerning traveling to and from work, workplace safety violations, and violations of drug policy.
  • Defended employers in state and federal courts involving violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other discrimination and retaliation claims.

Having represented educational institutions and educators for decades, we know how to resolve the wide variety of issues that confront them – helping teachers and administrators understand and navigate laws and regulations governing schools and, importantly, avoiding litigation.

Spencer Fane attorneys advise on the full range of issues facing K-12 educators, including teacher tenure and termination, student discipline, students’ rights, special education, athletics eligibility, contract negotiation, policy development, administrative compliance, complaint investigations, and personnel matters. We also provide training and in-service assistance to staff members at all levels.

Higher Education

Spencer Fane Higher Education attorneys help public and private universities and colleges address the complex legal issues unique to higher education. Working closely with boards of trustees, CEOs, athletic directors, and general counsel, we tailor solutions that help clients further their organizational objectives and interests.

As a full-service firm, we also help universities protect their investments by assisting with transactional issues, such as vendor and employment contracts, intercollegiate sports contracts, and intellectual property protection.

Spencer Fane LLP is a full-service U.S. law firm providing comprehensive legal counsel to businesses, financial institutions, governmental entities, and individuals across a wide range of industries. Founded in 1879, the firm has developed a strong reputation for delivering practical, solutions-oriented advice supported by deep regional roots and a growing national presence. Spencer Fane emphasizes client collaboration and efficiency, combining legal experience with a business-minded approach designed to help clients manage risk, resolve disputes, and achieve strategic objectives.

The firm maintains offices across key markets throughout the United States, including Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Dallas, Houston, St. Louis, Chicago, Tampa, and Los Angeles, among others. This broad geographic footprint enables Spencer Fane to serve clients at both regional and national levels, supporting middle-market companies, entrepreneurs, healthcare providers, construction and real estate developers, and public sector organizations with locally informed yet nationally coordinated legal services.

Spencer Fane offers a wide array of practice capabilities, including commercial litigation, corporate and business transactions, labor and employment, real estate, construction law, financial services, healthcare, intellectual property, environmental law, and government affairs. The firm is particularly recognized for its strengths in litigation, business and tax planning, and industry-focused advisory work, assisting clients through complex regulatory environments, high-value transactions, and sophisticated dispute resolution matters.

“Sam is widely recommended for sophisticated school law and labor matters. Clients praise his practical counsel in discipline, First Amendment, and civil rights issues, and peers highlight his versatility across education governance and general litigation.”
The Education Lawyers, 2025