Samuel D. Payne

Member

Sam Payne is a Nashville native - to the core. So much so that when asked where he was born, he answers, without hesitation, Baptist Hospital (which non-natives call St. Thomas Midtown). He was Valedictorian at Franklin Road Academy (FRA); an honors graduate of Vanderbilt University and an Order of the Coif graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School. He loves his hometown and is honored to continue his 30+ year legal career with Meridian Law, providing legal services to Tennessee companies and individuals.

During his impressive legal career, Sam’s practice areas have included insurance defense, personal injury, labor and employment litigation and training (including ERISA long-term disability and other fringe benefits), and complex commercial and business litigation. He has successfully handled a wide range of complex cases, earning recognition for his strategic thinking, legal acumen, and dedication to client advocacy.

Sam is passionate about going above and beyond for his clients – the saying “There is no traffic jam on the extra mile” suits him well. This is not just a passing thought, he lives it with every client relationship. Sam truly enjoys digging into cases to find details that often end up making the difference in a case.

There is no doubt that Sam is passionate about helping his clients, but he is also a passionate about his family – and sports. He and his wife now consider themselves ‘bird-launchers,’ so when they aren’t working, they can be found visiting their two young-adult children, giving their two rescue dogs a fun outing, or whipping up a mean batch of chili with friends (or even just for themselves). A self-professed ‘Super Fan,’ Sam enjoys the four major sports (football, basketball, baseball and hockey), but also appreciates learning about lesser-followed sports, especially if it gives him the opportunity to support the Commodores toward a win.


Samuel D. Payne
Rated by Super Lawyers


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Activities & Affiliations

  • Tennessee Bar Association

  • Nashville Bar Association

  • Nashville Sports Council

Bar Admissions

  • Tennessee

  • Alabama

Court admissions

  • 6th Circuit Court of Appeals

  • 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, Northern District of Alabama

  • All State-Level Courts in Tennessee

awards

  • Recognized as a “Super Lawyer” by the Mid-South Edition of Super Lawyers 2022-2023

  • AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell

Education

Vanderbilt University School of Law, JD

Vanderbilt University, BA