Jennifer Lankford
Jennifer M. Lankford is an associate attorney at Thompson Burton, focusing her practice on labor and employment law.
Whether counseling clients on everyday management issues or handling complex litigation, Jennifer is passionate about representing employers and employees in Tennessee. She has extensive experience assisting businesses and individuals with issues unique to the employment law arena, including matters at the state and federal level involving wrongful discharge, non-compete agreements, retaliation, discrimination, harassment, and hostile work environment claims arising from a variety of laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Tennessee Human Rights Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act. Jennifer also has considerable experience handling employment disputes before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and United States Department of Labor. Jennifer most enjoys helping businesses navigate the legal landscape and avoid employment compliance issues through in-depth training on state and federal regulations.
Jennifer obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where she graduated summa cum laude and top of her class with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies, accompanied by a secondary major in Psychology. Jennifer received her law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law, with a concentration in advocacy and dispute resolution. She was honored with the Summers-Wyatt Trial Advocacy Scholarship in connection with her litigation focus. Jennifer also studied law abroad at Downing College, Cambridge University in Cambridge, England.
During law school, Jennifer worked as a research assistant to Professor Penny J. White and also served as a legal extern at the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals for the Honorable D. Kelley Thomas. Jennifer participated in the College of Law’s Advocacy Clinic, representing indigent clients in various legal situations. She also served as Lead Student Materials Editor for the Tennessee Law Review, as well as a staff writer for Transactions: Tennessee Journal of Business Law and the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center Journal for Applied Public Policy.
Prior to joining Thompson Burton, Jennifer developed her skills as a labor and employment attorney with Cornelius & Collins, LLP, where she chaired the firm’s employment law department.
Jennifer lives in Nashville with her husband, Brent, and their miniature schnauzer, Bo. She spends her free time escaping into a good book and taking advantage of Nashville’s beautiful parks and fabulous restaurants. Never one to decline an invitation, Jennifer is an active member in a book club, supper club, and bridge club.
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Professional & Community Memberships:
- Nashville Bar Association
- Tennessee Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Lawyers’ Association for Women, Marion Griffin Chapter
- Defense Research Institute
- Tennessee Defense Lawyers’ Association
- Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence, Event Planning Committee
- Junior League of Nashville, Member