Ashley E. Bentley

Ashley E. Bentley is a Maryville attorney whose work centers on litigation and dispute resolution. Ashley brings a strong interest in helping clients address contested legal matters and is listed as a Rule 31 mediator for General Civil and Family Law mediations. Her practice combines courtroom-oriented experience with structured settlement work, giving parties a legal professional who understands contested proceedings and the practical value of resolving disputes through informed negotiation.

Ashley graduated from Freed-Hardeman University in 2001 with degrees in Computer Science and Communications. She later attended the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, formerly Hastings College of the Law, graduating in 2008. During law school, she received an Excellence for the Future award in Negotiations and Settlements and became a National Champion in Representation in Mediation, strengthening her foundation in advocacy and dispute resolution.

Ashley returned to East Tennessee and developed a litigation practice supported by formal training in negotiation and mediation. Her Rule 31 listings cover General Civil and Family Law matters, allowing her to work with parties seeking resolution outside a full trial. This experience connects legal analysis, communication, and settlement strategy, especially in disputes requiring careful discussion of competing interests, practical options, and the consequences of continued litigation.

Ashley E. Bentley is admitted to practice in all Tennessee state courts and the US District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Her professional background combines technical undergraduate study, communication training, litigation work, and recognized mediation achievement. That combination supports clear case preparation and practical dispute resolution for clients and parties involved in civil or family-related conflicts in Maryville and the surrounding East Tennessee community.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Kizer & Black, Attorneys, PLLC
• Member, Tennessee Bar Association
• President, Blount County Bar Association
• Past President, Blount County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division (2010)
• District Representative, Tennessee Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division (2012)
• Former Board Member, Legal Aid of East Tennessee
• Member, Knoxville Bar Association
• Member, Leadership Blount, Class of 2019

Licensed State

• Tennessee

Education

• University of California, Law San Francisco
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Freed-Hardeman University
  Degrees in Computer Science and Communications

Awards & Badges