Prior to joining Thompson Burton, Jon spent 15 years as an attorney for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.  For six years, Jon practiced at the Metro Codes Department, rising to the position of the Metro Zoning Administrator. In that role, Jon oversaw the issuance of all building permits, interpretations of the Metro Zoning Code, and oversight of the work of the Board of Zoning Appeals as well as the Short Term Rental Board of Appeals. During the last year of that work, Jon’s team issued building permits for over $5.2 billion of new construction in Nashville.

During his years at the Metro Legal Department, Jon served as counsel for numerous agencies, departments, and commissions. That work generated key relationships within the Metro Planning, Metro Codes, Metro Water, and Metro Public Works (NDOT) Departments as well as extensive work with the Metro Council. Further, Jon’s experience with the Metro Board of Zoning Appeals, Metro Planning Commission, and Metro Council proceedings helps arm his clients with insight and strategy for the best approaches and best results in front of those bodies.

Before practicing law, Jon worked in the startup days of the internet industry in Los Angeles. There he developed a heart for the innovators who seek creative solutions to the problems that face fast-changing business landscapes. Additionally, Jon worked on political staff for Senator Lamar Alexander’s campaign and witnessed daily the truth that all politics is local. Jon also completed the Honors Internship Program with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, at its headquarters in Washington D.C. There, he learned how to respect strict confidentiality. Each of those diverse experiences have shaped Jon’s approach to his current practice of law.