Frost Brown Todd’s Nashville office has added James Dunn as Counsel. He will further build out FBT’s government relations footprint in Tennessee, building upon the work of the current multistate and federal government relations efforts. Dunn is a skilled navigator, collaborator, and problem solver with nearly two decades of experience working with state, local, and federal government leaders in both the private and public sectors.
Most recently, Dunn served as the Executive Director of the Tennessee Commission on Aging & Disability where he was appointed by Governor Bill Lee and oversaw a $100 million budget serving the older Americans and adults with disabilities across all 95 counties in Tennessee. From his grassroots campaign experiences with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in the Middle Tennessee region as well as top state officials, including former Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey, to his legislative experiences with House Majority Leader William Lamberth, and Governor Haslam’s Administration under Major General Max Haston at the Tennessee Department of Military, Dunn’s experiences navigating the complexities of government while fostering impactful relationships runs deep.
Dunn also has experience in the federal government. He began his career in public policy as an intern with U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. He later fulfilled the role of District Director for the first woman to Chair the Budget Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, former Congresswoman Diane Black of Tennessee.
Equipped to empower clients through strategic planning, navigating the complexities of the legislative and regulatory process, and furthering business and economic development efforts that seek government partnerships and planning, he will play a vital role in positioning clients for success.
A graduate of Nashville School of Law, he earned his Master of Public Administration and undergraduate degrees from Western Kentucky University before moving from his native Kentucky to Tennessee, where he currently resides in Sumner County with his wife, Julie, and their two children, Henry and Abigail Dunn.