Kevin Sharp

Judge Kevin Sharp is a Co-Vice Chairman at Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight and Co-Chair of the Public Interest Litigation Group. With nearly 30 years of legal experience, he has handled complex civil litigation, class action lawsuits, whistleblower claims, ERISA disputes, and civil rights cases. His career spans both the judicial and legal sectors, making him a highly respected figure in the legal community. Before joining the firm, he was appointed by President Barack Obama as a United States District Court Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee, serving from 2011 to 2017, including as Chief Judge from 2014 to 2017.

Kevin earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law. Before law school, he completed his B.S. summa cum laude from Christian Brothers College. His strong academic foundation helped shape his career in litigation and judicial service.

During his tenure on the federal bench, Kevin oversaw more than 4,000 civil and criminal cases, including major civil rights, constitutional law, commercial litigation, and class action matters. He issued pivotal rulings in high-profile cases such as Young v. Giles County Board of Education and Rodriguez v. Providence Community Corrections, Inc., strengthening protections for First Amendment freedoms and safeguarding against due process violations.

Since returning to private practice, Kevin has represented whistleblowers, government entities, employees, and businesses in major litigation cases. His legal work includes representing local governments in opioid lawsuits, whistleblowers in False Claims Act cases, and employees in class action discrimination claims. His efforts have led to multi-million dollar settlements against major corporations, including Volkswagen, Home Depot, Allstate, and Walgreens.

Judge Kevin Sharp has received numerous awards, including recognition by The American Lawyer’s South Trailblazers, Best Lawyers in America, and Benchmark Litigation. He is also an Advisory Board member for the Tennessee Innocence Project and frequently speaks on federal litigation and criminal justice reform. His experience, leadership, and dedication make him a powerful advocate for justice.

Law Office Affiliations

• Co-Vice Chairman, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight
• Sustaining Life Fellow, American Bar Foundation
• Fellow, Nashville Bar Foundation
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Nashville Bar Association
• Member, Tennessee Bar Association
• Member, Federal Bar Association
• Member, National Employment Lawyers Association

Licensed State

• Tennessee

Education

• Vanderbilt University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Christian Brothers College
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges