Chad Williard, General Counsel

Chad Williard is general counsel for Gatlin Development Company. Born in Alabama and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, he received his undergraduate degree in economics and history from Emory University in 1993 and his juris doctorate from the University of Miami; School of Law in 1996.

While in law school, Mr. Williard began working for one of the leading land use and real estate firms in South Florida and, upon graduation, accepted a full-time position at the firm. Mr. Williard quickly became a partner in the firm and spent the next decade representing real estate developers, corporations and financial institutions in all aspects of complex real estate development and transactions. Mr. Williard oversaw and coordinated all aspects of major land use initiatives required to obtain entitlements (including environmental permitting) for residential, commercial and industrial projects and represented clients in related real estate acquisition and development.

During his time as an attorney representing primarily private developers, he always found commercial real estate development to be the most interesting and rewarding. So, when he relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, the prospect of working in-house with Gatlin Development Company, where he could utilize all aspects of his talents and experience, was an ideal and exciting opportunity. Mr. Williard works closely with Messrs. Gatlin, Van Der Slik and Welsch to represent the company's interests in loan transactions, property acquisition due diligence, contractual and leasing negotiations, as well as a wide variety of corporate, construction, employment and property management matters. He also coordinates the hiring and management of outside legal counsel.

Mr. Williard has served as Planning & Zoning Chairman for the Board of Directors of the Builders Association of South Florida (the largest association for real estate developers in South Florida); as well as Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Shoreline Development Review Committee (a County Commission-appointed board which reviews every shoreline-related development in Miami Dade County).

He is a member of the Bar in Florida and Tennessee.